acoplar
to attach
Reviewed by: David WestfallCofounder
To join two things so they fit together, and to fit in once joined
Encoding Strategies:
linguistic
visual
a-
into a state of
+
couple
a pair of two things together
+
-ar
verb suffix
Acoplar means to attach: you bring two things into a state of being coupled1, joined together as a pair.
acoplar
to attach, to connect
Attaching one part to another so the two are joined.
Acopló una cámara al dron antes de volarloHe attached a camera to the drone before flying it
Necesito acoplar esta pieza al motorI need to connect this part to the engine
to hitch (vehicles)
Attaching a vehicle to another one that will tow it.
Acoplaron el remolque a la camionetaThey hitched the trailer to the pickup truck
El maquinista acopló el último vagón al trenThe engineer hitched the last car to the train
acoplarse
to fit together
When two parts join themselves together correctly.
Las dos piezas se acoplan sin dejar huecoThe two pieces fit together without leaving a gap
La tapa no se acopla bien al frascoThe lid doesn't fit together properly with the jar
to settle in, to adapt (to a group or routine)
When you adjust to a new group, job, or routine until you fit in comfortably. You're joining yourself to whatever it is so you "fit," like "fitting in" to a new group.
El niño nuevo se acopló rápido al grupoThe new kid settled in with the group quickly
Me costó acoplarme al horario de la fábricaIt was hard for me to adapt to the factory schedule
to join, to tag along (colloquial)
When you come along on a plan that other people already made. You attach yourself to the group and go where they go.
¿Me puedo acoplar a la cena de mañana?Can I join your dinner tomorrow?
Se acopló al viaje sin avisarHe tagged along on the trip without saying anything