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How to Say "to seat" in Spanish

English → Spanish

sentar

/sen-TAR//senˈtaɾ/

verbA2
Use 'sentar' when you are directly causing someone to sit down, often in a more immediate or definitive way, like a waiter showing you to your exact spot.
An adult is gently guiding a small child to sit down onto a wooden stool.

Examples

El camarero nos sentó en una mesa cerca de la ventana.

The waiter seated us at a table near the window.

Mi trabajo es sentar a los invitados.

My job is to seat the guests.

Direct Action

When you use 'sentar' without a reflexive pronoun, you are performing the action on someone else (the direct object).

acomodar

/ah-koh-moh-dar//akomoˈðar/

verbB1
Use 'acomodar' when you are helping someone find and settle into a comfortable place, implying a bit more assistance or arrangement.
A friendly usher showing a guest to a plush red theater chair.

Examples

El camarero nos acomodó en una mesa cerca de la ventana.

The waiter seated us at a table near the window.

Acomodaron a los invitados en las primeras filas.

They seated the guests in the front rows.

Podemos acomodar a tu primo en el sofá cama.

We can put your cousin up on the sofa bed.

The Personal 'a'

Since this meaning involves people, remember to use the word 'a' after the verb: 'Acomodé a María'.

Sentar vs. Acomodar

Learners often confuse 'sentar' and 'acomodar' because both can mean 'to seat'. Remember that 'sentar' is more direct, about the action of sitting, while 'acomodar' is about arranging or making someone comfortable in a seat.

Related Translations

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