abarrotar (spanish) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

Abarrotar is a verb.

Phonetic Transcription

/a.βa.ˈro.tar/

Translation Options into English

• To fill to capacity
• To cram
• To stuff
• To overcrowd

Meaning and Usage

Abarrotar means to fill something to its maximum capacity, often to the point of overflowing or cramming too much into a given space. It is commonly used in both oral and written contexts, with a slight preference for written form due to its usage in formal descriptions of crowding or overfilling.

Example Sentences

1. El mercado estaba abarrotar de gente durante el fin de semana.
   The market was filled to capacity with people during the weekend.

2. Tuvieron que abarrotar la caja de productos en el almacén.
   They had to cram the box of products into the warehouse.

3. Los autobuses a primera hora de la mañana suelen abarrotar.
   Buses during the early morning are usually overcrowded.

Idiomatic Expressions

While abarrotar may not be the central term in many idiomatic expressions, it is often used in contexts where overcrowding or excess is conveyed:

1. Abarrotar la cabeza
   To overcrowd the mind
   Es fácil abarrotar la cabeza con tantas preocupaciones.
   It's easy to overcrowd the mind with so many worries.

2. Abarrotar el corazón
   To fill the heart
   El amor puede abarrotar el corazón de felicidad.
   Love can fill the heart with happiness.

3. Abarrotar el espacio
   To fill the space
   No deberías abarrotar el espacio de trabajo con cosas innecesarias.
   You shouldn't fill the workspace with unnecessary things.

4. Abarrotar la agenda
   To overfill the schedule
   No quiero abarrotar mi agenda con demasiadas tareas.
   I don't want to overfill my schedule with too many tasks.

Etymology

The word abarrotar comes from the prefix "a-" which can imply intensity or completeness, combined with "barrotar," which is derived from “barro,” meaning clay or mud, often used in reference to filling something up tightly or shoving things into a confined space. This suggests the origination of the word from the act of tightly filling something, akin to how clay can be packed.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms: - Colmar - Repletar - Llenar

Antonyms: - Vaciar - Desocupar - Dejar espacio

This comprehensive exploration of abarrotar illustrates its significance in the Spanish language, particularly in discussions of capacity and crowding.