Aterrar and Enterrar

Question

Further to a question that Jeezzle asked - do native speakers use aterrar and enterrar to both mean to bury or cover with dirt?

According to RAE, among other meanings for aterrar (such as 'to scare') they both share this thought. In fact with aterrar it is given as the first meaning before being a synonym for aterrorizar.

Aterrar

aterrar1. (De tierra). 1. tr. Bajar al suelo. 2. tr. abatir (? derribar, echar por tierra). 3. tr. Cubrir con tierra. 4. tr. Ingen. Echar los escombros y escorias en los terreros. 5. intr. Llegar a tierra. 6. intr. Mar. Dicho de un buque en su derrota: Acercarse a tierra. ¶ MORF. conjug. c. acertar.

aterrar2. (Del lat. terr?re).

Enterrar

enterrar. 1. tr. Poner debajo de tierra. 2. tr. Dar sepultura a un cadáver. 3. tr. Sobrevivir a alguien. 4. tr. Hacer desaparecer algo debajo de otra cosa, como si estuviese oculto bajo tierra. 5. tr. Arrinconar, relegar al olvido algún negocio, designio, etc., como si desapareciera de entre lo existente. Enterrar las ilusiones, las antiguas costumbres. 6. tr. Am. Clavar, meter un instrumento punzante. 7. prnl. Dicho de una persona: Retirarse del trato de los demás, como si estuviera muerto. Enterrarse en un monasterio, en una aldea. 8. List item

You are right they are two different meanings - xicotillo, Dec 23, 2011

ooops sorry xicotillo - I had put up the wrong link for the second one :) - Kiwi-Girl, Dec 23, 2011

Contrary to popular belief, my name is spelled Jeezzle. Thank you. ;) - jeezzle, Dec 23, 2011

oh sorry about that - ripped you off a 'z' :( Is there a good story to how you got that apodo? - Kiwi-Girl, Dec 23, 2011

Don't forget that the second aterrar is irregular. - lorenzo9, Dec 24, 2011

Answer 1

In my case, I only use "aterrar" with the meaning of "aterrorizar" .

Well, I often listen this verb in Catalan language because it means "to land" .

And "enterrar" for cover with dirt or bury.

But maybe in other regions or "enlightened" people use "aterrar" with the others meanings!

Wait for more answers!!

Thanx Raul :) - Kiwi-Girl, Dec 23, 2011

de cuál palabra hablas? que significa "to land" - aterrar? Es lo mismo como aterrizar? - jeezzle, Dec 23, 2011

(I often 'hear' this verb in the Catalan language because ...) with the otheR :) - Kiwi-Girl, Dec 23, 2011

yes JeezZ ;) - aterrar can mean the same as aterrizar - although our dictionary here has a funny explanation - http://www.spanishdict.com/translate/aterrar - "to keep the land on board" - what does that mean? - Kiwi-Girl, Dec 23, 2011

Answer 2

But maybe in other regions or "enlightened" people use "aterrar" with the others meanings!

Pues no soy de esas, jeje

De hecho no tenía ni idea de que aterrar significaba enterrar

alucina vecina

Buena pregunta kiwi, siempre se aprende algo nuevo, jeje

:) - Kiwi-Girl, Dec 23, 2011