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

Part of Speech

Verb

Phonetic Transcription

/mɛˈteɾ.se/

Translation Options into English

• to get involved
• to intervene
• to insert oneself

Meaning and Usage

The verb "meterse" primarily means to insert oneself into a situation, to get involved, or to intervene in matters that may not directly concern the individual. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, though it tends to be more prevalent in spoken language due to its conversational nature.

Frequency of Use

"Meterse" is frequently used in everyday conversation among native Spanish speakers, making it a common verb in both oral and written discourse.

Example Sentences

1. Ella decidió meterse en la discusión para ayudar.

2. She decided to get involved in the discussion to help.

3. No quiero meterme en asuntos que no me conciernen.

4. I don't want to meddle in matters that don't concern me.

Idiomatic Expressions

The verb "meterse" is often featured in idiomatic expressions in Spanish. Here are some notable ones:

1. Meterse en líos
2. To get into trouble

3. Example: Si sigues así, te vas a meter en líos.

   • If you keep this up, you are going to get into trouble.

4. Meterse donde no te llaman

5. To stick one’s nose where it doesn’t belong

6. Example: No te metas donde no te llaman, por favor.

   • Please don’t stick your nose where it doesn’t belong.

7. Meterse en una pelea

8. To get into a fight
9. Example: No deberías meterte en una pelea ajena.
   • You shouldn't get into someone else's fight.

Etymology

The verb "meter" comes from the Latin "mettere," which means "to put or place," combined with the reflexive pronoun "se" to indicate the action is self-directed.

Synonyms

• Intervenir (to intervene)
• Involucrarse (to get involved)
• Inmiscuirse (to meddle)

Antonyms

• Retirarse (to withdraw)
• Abandonar (to abandon)
• Desinteresarse (to lose interest)

This comprehensive overview should give you a clear understanding of the verb "meterse" and its nuances within the Spanish language.