vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Encajar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to fit", and "caber" is an intransitive verb which is also often translated as "to fit". Learn more about the difference between "encajar" and "caber" below.
encajar(
ehng
-
kah
-
hahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to insert)
a. to take
¿Qué pasa? Hay que saber encajar una broma.What's the matter? You have to know how to take a joke.
3. (to strike)
a. to land
El boxeador le encajó un golpe en el hombro izquierdo.The boxer landed a blow on his left shoulder..
a. to dump on
Se fue por la semana y nos encajó los perros.She left for the week and dumped the dogs on us.
b. to lumber with (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Siempre que viajan mis papás, me encajan a mantener su casa.Whenever my parents travel, I'm lumbered with house sitting for them.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
encajarse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
9. (clothing)
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to take advantage of
Se encaja con nuestra bondad porque es demasiado tacaño para pagar.He takes advantage of our kindness because he's too cheap to pay.
caber(
kah
-
behr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to fit
En nuestro comedor cabe hasta un centenar de personas.Our dining area can fit as many as a hundred people.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¿Quieres otro trozo de pastel? - Está delicioso, pero no me cabe nada más.Do you want another slice of cake? - It's delicious, but I couldn't eat another thing.
Come otro burrito si te cabe.Have another burrito if you can manage it.
a. to be room for
En esta guerra, no caben consideraciones.In this war, there is no room for consideration.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Cabe preguntarse si esto es lo que queremos que recuerden de nosotros.It might be worth questioning if this what we'd like to be remembered for.
Cabe la posibilidad de que la banda cancele la presentación si el cantante no se recupera.It's possible the band will cancel the show if the singer doesn't recover.
