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"Encoge" is a form of "encoger", a transitive verb which is often translated as "to shrink". "Tira" is a form of "tira", a noun which is often translated as "strip". Learn more about the difference between "encoge" and "tira" below.
encoger(
ehng
-
koh
-
hehr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
b. to tuck in (legs)
Si encoges las piernas y las rodeas con los brazos cuando estás en el aire, vas a girar más rápido.If you tuck your legs in when you're in the air, you will roll faster.
c. to make bleed (figurative) (heart)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
Ver la película sobre las focas bebés me encogió el corazón.Watching the movie about baby seals made my heart bleed.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to shrink
Mis pantalones encogieron con los lavados constantes.My pants shrunk due to the regular washing.
encogerse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
la tira(
tee
-
rah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
2. (literature)
a. comic strip
No creo que haya una tira mejor que la de Calvin y Hobbes.I don't think there is a better comic strip than Calvin and Hobbes.
3. (colloquial) (a large quantity)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. lots
Hubo la tira de gente esperando entrar al nuevo restaurante.There were lots of people waiting to get into the new restaurant.
4. (colloquial) (old-fashioned) (police) (Mexico)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
A word or phrase that is seldom used in contemporary language and is recognized as being from another decade, (e.g., cat, groovy).
Regionalism used in Mexico
a. cops (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Rápido, esconde las botellas de cerveza. Viene la tira.Quick, hide the beer bottles. The cops are coming.
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
5. (colloquial) (police officer) (Chile)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Chile
a. undercover cop
Un tira arrestó al mafioso por estar vendiendo drogas.An undercover cop arrested the gangster for selling drugs.
