alternar

to alternate

to socialize

alternar(ahl-tehr-nahr)

transitive verb

1. (to combine repeatedly)

a. to alternate

Vamos a alternar los hilos de colores para conseguir un efecto multicolor.

We'll alternate the colored threads to achieve a multicolored effect.

2. (agriculture)

a. to rotate

Los agricultores alternan el cultivo de trigo en los campos para dejar descansar la tierra.

Farmers rotate the wheat crop in the fields to let the land rest.

intransitive verb

3. (to mingle; used with "con")

a. to socialize

Mis amigos suelen alternar con sus compañeros de trabajo pero yo soy muy tímido.

My friends usually socialize with their workmates but I am very shy.

b. to socialise (United Kingdom)

A Laura no le gusta alternar con desconocidos porque es muy apática.

Laura doesn't like socialising with strangers because she is very apathetic.

c. to mix

Desde que alterno con amigos de mis amigos, tengo una vida social más plena.

Since I started mixing with my friends' friends, my social life has improved.

d. to hobnob

(colloquial)

Me gusta alternar con los modernos para enterarme de las tendencias actuales.

I like to hobnob with the in-crowd to hear about the current trends.

4. (to go from one bar to another)

a. to bar hop

(United States)

A mis amigos no les gusta quedarse en un sitio. Prefieren alternar.

My friends don't like staying in one place. They prefer to bar hop.

b. to go on a pub crawl (United Kingdom)

Lo bueno de alternar es que escuchas diferentes tipos de música a lo largo de la noche.

The good thing about going on a pub crawl is that you get to hear different kinds of music throughout the night.

alternarse

pronominal verb

5. (to operate in sequence)

a. to take turns

Las dos hermanas se alternan para dormir con su tía enferma en el hospital.

The two sisters take turns to sleep with their sick aunt at the hospital.

b. to alternate

¿Por qué no nos alternamos? Tú los acompañas a la escuela por las mañanas y yo los recojo por las tardes.

Why don't we alternate? You take them to school in the mornings and I'll pick them up in the afternoons.

alternar

transitive verb

1. (general)

a. to alternate

alterna el estudio con la diversiónshe alternates studying with having fun

intransitive verb

2. (relacionarse)

a. to socialize

no suelen alternar muchothey don't usually socialize much

3. (sucederse)

a.

alternar conto alternate with

pronominal verb

4. (en el tiempo)

a. to take turns

los dos partidos se alternan en el poderthe two parties take turns in office

5. (en el espacio)

a. to alternate

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alternar

transitive verb

(gen) to alternate; vary; [+cultivos] to rotate;

intransitive verb

1 (turnar) to alternate;con with; (Técnica) to alternate; reciprocate

2 (relacionarse) to mix; socialize; (ir a bares) to go on a pub crawl (familiar); go boozing (familiar)

alternar con un grupo to mix with a group; go around with a group; alternar con la gente bien to hobnob with top people; tiene pocas ganas de alternar he doesn't want to mix; he is not inclined to be sociable; alternar de igual a igual to be on an equal footing

pronominal verb

alternarse (hacer turnos) to take turns; change about

alternarse a los mandos to take turns at the controls; alternarse en el poder to take turns in office