By Julie Etra

This month, let’s take a look at two verbs with multiple, not-always-obvious meanings – andar and echar.

Andar literally means to walk, but also to go out with or date, to be, to come out, run (operate), to run around, go ahead, go around doing something, to be from; synonymous in some meanings with caminar.

Examples:

1. Andamos juntos al cine. We walk together to the movies.
2. Mi coche anda bien. My car runs fine.
3. Todo anda bien/mal. Everything is (going) fine / wrong.
4. Maria anda con Juan. Maria is dating Juan/going out with Juan.
5. ¡Andale (pues)! Move it!
6. Tomas siempre anda tomado. Tomas always is/ goes around drunk.
7. El andaba borracho cuando se cayó. He was drunk when he fell.
8. Ella siempre anda preocupada. She is always worried.
9. ¿Andas por aquí? Are you from around here?

Echar is complicated! It is very idiomatic but fun and versatile. There are lots of ways to use this verb. Common meanings: to throw, launch, toss, drop, throw out.

1. Echar de menos. To miss someone. Te echo de menos. I miss you.
2. Echarse a perder. To rot/go bad. La leche se echa a perder. The milk is going bad.
3. Echar ganas. ¡Echale ganas! To be motivated, move it, let’s give it a try!
4. Echar un vistazo. To glance. Le echo un vistazo a Carla. I glance at Carla.
5. Echar chispas por los ojos. To glare (literally, to throw sparks from your eyes).
6. Echar aguas. To warn someone, “Watch out!” (From the medieval custom of throwing dirty water, including night soil, out the window into the street.)
7. Echarle porras (a alguien). To encourage (someone).
8. Echar hojas. To sprout leaves.
9. Echar el ojo. To take a look, to choose.
10. Echar tacos. To eat lunch. Echarse un taco (de ojo). To look, maybe leer, at someone very attractive.