calar
calar(
kah
-
lahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to drench)
Pisé un charco y el agua me caló los zapatos y las medias.I stepped in a puddle, and the water soaked my shoes and socks.
La lluvia caló las hojas del libro que dejé sobre la mesa en el jardín.The rain soaked the pages of the book I left on the table in the garden.
b. to soak through
La tinta derramada caló el mantel y manchó la mesa.The ink that had been spilled soaked through the tablecloth and stained the table.
c. to penetrate
La lluvia caló el techo, que no estaba impermeabilizado.The rain penetrated the roof, which wasn't watertight.
2. (to cut)
a. to cut out
Primero se cala el dibujo con un cúter.First, you cut out the design using a craft knife.
b. to fret (technical)
A word or phrase that is only used by experts, professionals, or academics in a particular field (e.g., exposition).
Esta herramienta sirve para calar madera.This tool is used for fretting wood.
3. (to sample)
a. to cut a piece of
El vendedor caló la papaya para ver si estaba madura.The seller cut a piece of papaya to see if it was ripe.
4. (colloquial) (to figure out)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. to see through
Este hombre es racista. Ya lo calé cuando evitó ayudar a esos refugiados.That man's a racist. I saw through him when he avoided helping those refugees.
b. to rumble (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Calé a Lucy en el instante en que se acercó a hablar conmigo sobre el trabajo.I rumbled Lucy the moment she came to talk to me about the job.
c. to suss (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Calé la situación en cuanto llegué a la reunión.I sussed the situation as soon as I got to the meeting.
d. to suss out (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Yo lo calé desde el primer momento.I sussed him out right from the start.
6. (fishing)
a. to cast
Los pescadores calaron las redes y atraparon muchos peces.The fishermen cast their nets and caught a lot of fish.
a. to fix
Los soldados calaron las bayonetas para el ataque.The soldiers fixed bayonets for the assault.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to let water in
Necesito unos zapatos de hule para la lluvia porque los que tengo calan.I need a pair of galoshes for the rain because the ones I have let water in.
10. (figurative) (to have an effect)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
La campaña del partido no ha calado en el electorado.The party's campaign didn't make any impression on the electorate.
Tus palabras calaron hondo en mí.Your words made a deep impression on me.
11. (nautical)
a. to draw
A plena carga, estos portacontenedores calan 16 metros.Fully laden, these container ships draw 16 meters.
b. to have a draft (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Estos barcos tienen 300 metros de eslora y calan 12 metros.These boats are 300 meters in length and have a 12-meter draft.
c. to have a draught (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Las barcazas calan poco.Barges have a very shallow draught.
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
b. calcareous (formal)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
El suelo calar favorece el crecimiento de árboles frutales.Calcareous soil is good for growing fruit trees.
calarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
13. (to get wet)
a. to get soaked
A pesar de que llevaba paraguas, Lorena se caló.Even though she had an umbrella, Lorena got soaked.
b. to get drenched
Era imposible no calarse durante esa fuerte tormenta.It was impossible not to get drenched during that severe storm.
14. (to adjust)
a. to pull down
Michelle se caló el gorro hasta cubrirse las orejas.Michelle pulled her hat down until it covered her ears.
15. (to pull on)
a. to put on
Juan se caló sus nuevos lentes y se miró en el espejo.Juan put on his new glasses and looked at himself in the mirror.
Examples
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