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"Echar a" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to throw out", and "echarse a" is a pronominal verb phrase which is often translated as "to begin to". Learn more about the difference between "echar a" and "echarse a" below.
echar a
A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
1. (to oust)
a. to throw out
¿Por qué echaron a ese hombre de la discoteca? - Porque estaba completamente borracho.Why did they throw that man out of the disco? - Because he was completely drunk.
b. to expel
Echaron a unos matones de la escuela por pegar a un niño.They expelled some bullies from the school for hitting a boy.
c. to send down (from university) (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Echaron a todos los estudiantes de medicina que habían estado implicados en el robo de los exámenes.All the medical students who had been involved in the theft of the exams were sent down.
2. (to lay off)
a. to fire
¿Sabías que echaron al jefe de ventas? - Sí, las cosas pintan muy mal. Nosotros seremos los siguientes.Did you know they fired the sales manager? - Yes, things look very bad. We'll be next.
b. to sack (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Echaron al contable porque estaba robándole dinero a la empresa.The accountant was sacked because he was stealing money from the company.
echarse a(
eh
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chahr
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seh
ah
)A pronominal verb phrase combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Se dio cuenta del problema.)
1. (general)
a. to begin to
Su hermana lo llamó tonto, y él se echó a llorar.Her sister called him stupid, and he began to cry.
b. to start
Cuando les dije que nosotros ganaríamos el partido, se echaron a reír.When I told them we would win the game, they started laughing.
c. to burst into
Cada vez que sus padres le decían que no a algo, la niña se echaba a llorar.Every time their parents said no to something, the girl would burst into tears.
