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

Part of Speech

Empollar is a verb in Spanish.

Phonetic Transcription

/emˈpoʎaɾ/

Translation Options into English

1. To incubate (in the context of birds)
2. To study hard (colloquial usage)

Meaning and Usage

The primary meaning of empollar refers to the action of a bird incubating its eggs by sitting on them to keep them warm until they hatch. In a colloquial sense, it is commonly used among students to refer to studying intensively, particularly in preparation for exams.

The word is frequently used in both casual conversations as well as in written contexts such as informal writing or educational discussions. Its use in idiomatic expressions makes it more prevalent in spoken Spanish.

Example Sentences

1. El pájaro empolla sus huevos cuidadosamente en el nido.

2. The bird incubates its eggs carefully in the nest.

3. Durante la semana de exámenes, tengo que empollar para obtener buenas calificaciones.

4. During exam week, I have to study hard to get good grades.

Idiomatic Expressions

Empollar is a key term in colloquial Spanish and is often found in idiomatic expressions. Here are a few examples:

1. Empollar como un loco
2. Ayer, empollé como un loco toda la noche para el examen.

3. Last night, I studied like crazy for the exam.

4. Empollar a fondo

5. Tienes que empollar a fondo si quieres entender este tema.

6. You need to study thoroughly if you want to understand this topic.

7. Empollar a última hora

8. Siempre empollas a última hora, ¿no crees que deberías empezar antes?

9. You always cram at the last minute; don't you think you should start earlier?

10. No hay tiempo para empollar

11. Si no empezamos a trabajar ahora, no tendremos tiempo para empollar.

12. If we don't start working now, we won't have time to study.

13. Empollar en grupo

14. Es útil empollar en grupo, ya que puedes discutir las dudas con tus amigos.
15. Studying in groups is helpful because you can discuss questions with your friends.

Etymology

The verb empollar comes from the Latin word impollāre, which means 'to cover eggs'. It evolved in the Spanish language to refer to the act of an animal sitting on its eggs as well as extending metaphorically to the act of studying intensively.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms: - Estudiar (to study) - Preparar (to prepare)

Antonyms: - Abandonar (to abandon) - Descansar (to rest)