echar a perder

to spoil

Dictionary

Examples

Pronunciation

echar a perder(

)

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.).

transitive verb phrase

1. (to mess up)

a. to spoil

La lluvia echó a perder nuestro pícnic.The rain spoiled our picnic.

b. to ruin

El escándalo por corrupción echó a perder mi carrera política.The corruption scandal ruined my political career.

2. (to deteriorate)

a. to spoil

La inundación echó a perder toda la cosecha.The flood spoiled the whole harvest.

echarse a perder

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.)

pronominal verb phrase

3. (to deteriorate)

a. to go bad

Se cortó la luz y la comida en el refrigerador se echó a perder.The power went out and the food in the fridge went bad.

b. to spoil

La mayonesa se echó a perder y tuvimos que tirarla.The mayonnaise spoiled and we had to throw it away.

c. to go off (United Kingdom)

Toda la fruta que tenía fuera de la nevera se echó a perder por el calor.All the fruit I had outside the fridge went off because of the heat.

4. (to ruin)

a. to be spoiled

Mi hijo descubrió los regalos que había yo dejado debajo de la cama, y la sorpresa se echó a perder.My son found the presents I had left under the bed, and the surprise was spoiled.

b. to be ruined

Si llueve, se echarán a perder nuestros planes de fin de semana.If it rains, our plans for the weekend will be ruined.

Examples