encarar

to confront

encarar(ehn-kah-rahr)

transitive verb

1. (to deal with)

a. to confront

Este gobierno debe dejar de andarse con rodeos y encarar el problema de la pobreza extrema en áreas rurales del país.

This government must stop fudging the issue and confront the problem of extreme poverty in rural areas of the country.

Cuando me quedé en paro, tuve que encarar la situación y buscar soluciones.

When I became unemployed, I had to confront the situation and look for solutions.

b. to face up to

Los problemas se encaran mejor con una sonrisa.

You face up to problems better if you smile.

c. to face

Cuando tienes un hijo, encaras un mundo nuevo de retos y preocupaciones.

When you have a child, you face a whole new world of challenges and worries.

2. (to place opposite one another)

a. to bring face to face

Los padres encararon a los niños para que hicieran las paces.

The parents brought their children face to face so that they make peace.

3. (to hold up to a target)

a. to aim

El francotirador encaró su arma hacia el objetivo.

The sniper aimed his gun towards the target.

b. to point

Los rehenes estaban asustados porque el atracador los encaraba con su pistola.

The hostages were scared because the robber was pointing at them with his gun.

4. (to join)

a. to fit together

Para completar el rompecabezas, me falta la pieza que encara con esta.

To complete the puzzle, I'm missing the piece that fits together with this one.

encararse

pronominal verb

5. (to accost: used with "con")

a. to confront

Mi novio se encaró con el hombre de la discoteca que me miraba.

My boyfriend confronted the man who was looking at me in the club.

b. to stand up to

Manuel se encaró con sus padres cuando le dijeron que no podía salir con sus amigos.

Manuel stood up to his parents when they told him he could not go out with his friends.