ajar

to wear out

ajar(ah-hahr)

transitive verb

1. (to deteriorate)

a. to wear out

El paso del tiempo había ajado el papel de la carta, que apenas podía leerse.

Time had worn out the letter, which could hardly be read.

2. (to wilt)

a. to wither

Las altas temperaturas ajaron las flores que plantamos ayer en el jardín.

High temperatures withered the flowers we planted yesterday in our backyard.

3. (to crease)

a. to wrinkle

Las largas horas al sol le habían ajado la piel.

So many long hours in the sun had wrinkled her skin.

b. to crumple

No me gusta usar el secarropas porque aja la ropa.

I don't like to use the dryer because it crumples my clothes.

ajarse

pronominal verb

4. (to be ruined)

a. to become deteriorated

Tuvieron que restaurar el cuadro porque el lienzo se había ajado.

The painting had to be restored because the canvas had become deteriorated.

b. to fade

De joven mi abuela era muy guapa, pero su belleza se ha ajado.

When my grandmother was young she was very pretty, but her beauty has faded.

5. (to wilt)

a. to fade

Las margaritas que te regalé se ajaron porque no las regaste.

The daisies I gave you faded because you didn't water them.

b. to wither

Las plantas no se ajarán si las cuidas bien.

The plants won't wither if you take good care of them.

6. (to become creased)

a. to get wrinkled

Mis manos se han ajado con el paso de los años.

My hands got wrinkled over the years.

b. to get creased

La falda de seda se ajó por no colgarla en una percha.

The silk skirt got creased because you didn't hang it.

c. to get crumpled

Después de tantas horas en la valija, las camisas se ajaron y ahora tengo que plancharlas.

After so many hours in a suitcase, the shirts got crumpled and now I have to iron them.