empeñar

to pawn

empeñar(ehm-peh-nyahr)

transitive verb

1. (to deposit as security)

a. to pawn

La señora empeñó sus joyas para tener dinero para la renta.

The lady pawned her jewels in order to have money for rent.

b. to hock

(colloquial)

Empeñó su reloj para pagar una deuda de juego.

He hocked his watch to pay a gambling bet.

2. (to offer)

a. to give

El candidato empeñó su palabra, asegurando que cumpliría sus promesas.

The candidate gave his word, assuring he'd keep his promises.

3. (to pass)

a. to spend

Empeñó toda su carrera científica estudiando el sistema solar.

She spent her whole scientific career studying the solar system.

empeñarse

pronominal verb

4. (to persist; used with "en")

a. to insist on

Se empeñó en obtener una beca y finalmente lo logró.

She insisted on getting a scholarship and she finally did.

5. (to make an effort; used with "en")

a. to endeavor to

Ahora tendrás que empeñarte en ganar su confianza.

Now you must endeavor to earn their trust.

6. (to owe)

a. to fall into debt

Me empeñé con el banco para poder comprar un auto nuevo.

I fell into debt with the bank to buy a new car.

empeñar

transitive verb

1. (joyas, bienes)

a. to pawn

2. (palabra)

a. to give

pronominal verb

3. (obstinarse)

a. to insist

empeñarse en hacer algoto insist on doing something

se empeñó en que nos quedáramoshe insisted that we stay

no sé por qué te empeñas en hablar de elloI don't know why you insist on talking about it

4. (endeudarse)

a. to get into debt

se empeñaron hasta las cejasthey got themselves up to their eyeballs in debt

Copyright © 2006 Harrap Publishers Limited

empeñar

transitive verb

1 [+objeto de valor] to pawn; pledge

2 (comprometer) [+palabra] to give; [+persona] to engage; compel

3 (comenzar) to start

pronominal verb

empeñarse

1 (endeudarse) to get into debt

2

empeñarse en algo to insist on sth; empeñarse en hacer algo to be set on doing sth; se empeñó en irse a trabajar al extranjero he insisted on going to work abroad; me empeñé en que estudiara inglés I insisted that she should study English; empeñarse en una discusión to get involved in a heated argument; se empeña en que fue así he insists that it was so

3

empeñarse por algn to intercede for sb