formar

to form

formar(fohr-mahr)

transitive verb

1. (to shape)

a. to form

Estas estrellas forman una constelación.

These stars form a constellation.

b. to make

Los niños formaron una casita con cojines.

The children made a little house with cushions.

2. (to create)

a. to set up

Formamos el reglamento interno en base a un modelo.

We set up our internal regulations based on a model.

b. to form

Vamos a formar una coalición de personas que apoyan la ecología.

We are going to form a coalition of people who support ecology.

c. to get into

Los alumnos formaron grupos de tres personas.

The students got into groups of three.

3. (to be composed of)

a. to make up

Las mujeres forman más de la mitad de la población.

Women make up more than half of the population.

b. to comprise

Los mejores músicos del municipio forman la banda.

The band is comprised of the municipality's best musicians.

4. (to instruct)

a. to educate

En esta escuela, formamos a los niños de entre tres y seis años de edad.

At this school, we educate children between three and six years old.

b. to train

La universidad de esta ciudad se especializa en formar ingenieros.

The university in this city specializes in training engineers.

5. (military)

a. to order to fall in

El cabo formó el pelotón.

The corporal ordered the platoon to fall in.

intransitive verb

6. (military)

a. to fall in

El comandante gritó, "¡A formar!"

The commander shouted, "Fall in!"

formarse

pronominal verb

7. (to stand in line)

a. to make a line

(United States)

Fórmense al lado derecho del pasillo, por favor.

Make a line along the right side of the hallway, please.

b. to queue

(United Kingdom)

Nos formamos por ocho horas para comprar el nuevo celular.

We queued for eight hours to buy the new cellphone.

c. to line up

Los aficionados se formaron para entrar al espectáculo.

The fans lined up to get into the show.

8. (to create)

a. to form

Se formó un gas tóxico cuando se mezclaron los productos de limpieza.

A toxic gas formed when the cleaning products were mixed.

9. (to appear)

a. to develop

Los huesos de la ratas en el laboratorio se formaron muy rápido.

The bones of the rats in the laboratory developed very quickly.

10. (to study)

a. to be educated

Eugenio se formó en Harvard.

Eugenio was educated at Harvard.

b. to train

Josué se está formando como buzo en Cancún.

Josue is training to be a diver in Cancun.

11. (to determine)

a. to form

Carmen se formó la opinión de que Carlos no era una persona digna de confianza.

Carmen formed the opinion that Carlos was not a person to be trusted.

b. to get

¿Cómo te formaste esa opinión de ella?

How did you get that opinion of her?