encarrilar

to put on the right track

to guide

encarrilar(ehn-kah-rree-lahr)

transitive verb

1. (to set on the course to success)

a. to put on the right track

Queremos encarrilar la vida de los presos a través de programas educativos.

We want to put inmates' lives on the right track through education schemes.

b. to put on track

Los políticos aseguran que pueden volver a encarrilar la economía.

Politicians say they can put the economy back on track.

2. (to orient)

a. to guide

Los padres procuran encarrilar a sus hijos.

Parents try to guide their children.

b. to give guidance to

Estaba un poco perdido. Mi profesora de química fue quien me encarriló.

I was a little lost. My chemistry teacher was the one who gave me guidance.

c. to direct

Debemos encarrilar el talento de los estudiantes de cine hacia la especialidad que más les conviene.

We must direct our film students' talent toward the specialty they're best suited for.

3. (used to refer to trains)

a. to put on the rails

La pequeña Alicia trataba de encarrilar de nuevo su tren de juguete.

Little Alicia was trying to put her toy train back on the rails.

encarrilarse

pronominal verb

4. (to find out what one wants to do)

a. to get one's bearings

Enamorarse y encontrar trabajo fueron las dos cosas que ayudaron a la joven Verónica a encarrilarse.

Falling in love and finding a job were the two things that helped young Veronica get her bearings.

b. to find one's bearings

La madre rezaba para que su hijo finalmente se encarrilara en la vida.

The mother would pray for her son to finally find his bearings in life.

5. (to function normally again)

a. to get back on the rails

El negocio se encarriló después de una mala racha.

The business got back on the rails after a bad patch.