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

Part of Speech

Verb

Phonetic Transcription

/kopaɾ/

Translation Options into English

• to copy
• to replicate
• to mimic
• to duplicate

Meaning and Usage

In Spanish, the verb "copiar" primarily means “to copy,” which can refer to duplicating text, images, or any kind of information. Its frequency of use is quite high, as it is a common term in both oral and written contexts. It is widely used in everyday situations, particularly in educational settings where one might copy homework or notes. Additionally, it can have a legal context, referring to copying documents or information.

Example Sentences

1. Voy a copiar la tarea de mi amigo.
   (I am going to copy my friend's homework.)

2. Es importante no copiar el trabajo de otros.
   (It is important not to copy the work of others.)

3. Puedo copiar esa foto para ti.
   (I can copy that photo for you.)

Idiomatic Expressions

The word "copiar" is often used in various idiomatic expressions in Spanish. Here are some examples:

1. Copiar y pegar
2. Meaning: To copy and paste (often used in computing).

3. Example: Ella solo necesita copiar y pegar el texto en su documento.
   (She just needs to copy and paste the text into her document.)

4. Copiar de memoria

5. Meaning: To memorize or learn by heart.

6. Example: El maestro nos pidió copiar de memoria las fechas históricas.
   (The teacher asked us to memorize the historical dates.)

7. No hay que copiar

8. Meaning: It is not allowed to copy, often used in academic settings.

9. Example: En este examen, no hay que copiar de tus compañeros.
   (In this exam, you are not allowed to copy from your classmates.)

10. Copiar la fórmula

11. Meaning: To replicate or imitate a method or style.
12. Example: No quiero solo copiar la fórmula de su éxito.
    (I don’t just want to replicate their formula for success.)

Etymology

The verb "copiar" comes from the Latin word "copiare," which itself derives from "copia," meaning “abundance” or “plenty.” The transition from Latin to Spanish involved the adaptation of the verb to fit the phonetic and morphological patterns of the evolving Spanish language. "Copia" also leads to nouns in Spanish, such as "copia," which means "copy."

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms: - Duplicar (to duplicate) - Reproducir (to reproduce) - Imitar (to imitate)

Antonyms: - Crear (to create) - Innovar (to innovate) - Inventar (to invent)