Practice with Complicated Verbs - Echar
There are a number of verbs that continue to cause me problems (and probably always will). Every couple of days I will present a new verb and I would like us to explore the variety of different usages of that verb. Some will be verb phrases, some will idiomatic, some will be reflexive or pronomial and some will be straight forward.
Today's verb is Echar(se).
Present one example of a usage of the this verb. You do not have to write sentences in English and Spanish as I do not have a corrector for the Spanish. Just present a usage, maybe one that you struggle with occasionally, present the usage in Spanish and the English translation.
Here is one to get us started. If you are not sure feel free to look them up in the translator above on the blue bar. Remember this is for practice and learning new usages.
Echar raíces = to take root, to become fixed or established in a place
Hi all. I am trying to find and put the reference to each usage as a comment below your answers. I will continue to do so, but if you would like you can put it into your answer and help me out. I am basically copying the line from the dictionary that describes each usage.
Sentences in Spanish and English are optional but since there is no Spanish corrector for this thread your sentences will not be reviewed and corrected.
As of 20 answers here is the list of usages covered. There are still many more so feel free to "echar otro"
Echar - to show or present (theatre and cinema) Echar de menos - to miss Echar - chase out or kick out Echar + a + infinitive - to make a sudden action Echar - to throw, cast, toss, eject, send, pour, put Echar una mano - to lend a hand Echar por atrás - to back out/down, to bail out Echarse a alguien - to bump someone off Echar(se) a perder - to spoil (to become spoiled) Echar la bronca - to scold or lecture Echate pa' ca' mamá - come here mama Echar - pour Echar dientes - to cut teeth Echar por la borda - to throw out or down the drain Echar chispas - to be angry Echarse al agua - to jump in the water Echar a la suerte - draw lots, flip a coin, etc. Echar a cara o cruz - flip a coin Echar la culpa - to blame
29 Answers
echando - v. throw, cast, toss; add; affix, tack on; eject; bud, shoot; pump; lay; post; blow; tip; send; pour; put
Ellos están echando sal en la carretera para derretir el hielo.
They are spreading salt on the road to melt the ice.
Echar + a + infinitivo = making a sudden action
The link above is from the perifrases weekly practice so it's got some other examples that have been corrected by SilviaC.
Me eché a reír con las cosas que contaba mi primo sobre nuestras travesuras de la infancia.
I burst out laughing at the stories my cousin was telling about our childhood pranks.
Gringo, here´s one that is very idiomatic and used in a song by Juan Luis Guerra:
¡Échate pa´ ca´ mamá! ............ ¡Come here mama! (in this case, said to one´s lady in a passionate situation)
Echar de menos = "to miss"
- Te echo de menos. ? I miss you.
- Echo de menos las tardes en la playa. ? I miss the afternoons on the beach.
I'm not sure what you want gringo but how about this?
¿En qué cine echan "Casablanca"?
What cinema is ‘Casablanca’ on at?
Echar flores = to sprout flowers
Echar por la borda - To throw (something) down the drain. Throwing away - Throw out - Meaning that everything that was gained is lost because of a decision made.
Example: Mi vecina echó por la borda sus 20 años de matrimonio por haber engañado a su esposo con otro hombre. (Mi ejemplo no es de verdad, jajajaja
(México) (matar) echarse a alguien => to bump somebody off (muy_familiar)
You just have to love Mexican Spanish.
He should have backed down before they bumped him off.
Él debería haber echar para atrás antes de ellos echarse a él.
Echar(se) a perder ..... To spoil / To become spoiled
Pon el pescado en el refri antes de que se eche a perder / Put the fish in the refrigerator before it spoils.
Note: The RAE has almost 3 pages of uses for echar. Enjoy!
echar la bronca - lecture someone, slam someone, give someone a dressing down about something
Echar una mano = to give someone a hand; to help someone.
Echar para atrás - Back out, bail out, back down.
Example: Mi amiga se echó para atrás antes de firmar el contrato prenupcial.
My friend backed out before she signed the prenuptial agreement.
Please check my English. 
echar ? chase out or kick out
El guardia de seguridad nos echó del parque porque monopatines no se les permite.
The security guard chased us out of the park because skateboards are not allowed.
Echar porras: To encourage someone / To cheer on.
Example: Julie has to read one more book to finish her school challenge. We are encouraging her / cheering her on, so she can finish by tomorrow.
Julie tiene que leer un libro más para terminar un reto de la escuela. Nosotros le estamos echando porras para que termine para mañana.
-- No estoy muy segura de mi inglés en mi oración...
Echar la casa por la ventana - to go all out, to pull out all the stops
Voy a hacer una fiesta este fin de semana y voy a echar la casa por la ventana
I'm going to throw a party this weekend and I'm going all out
