estrechar
verb
1. to narrow, make narrower
to reduce in width
Common combinations
- estrechar una calle — narrow a street
- estrechar un vestido — take in a dress
- estrecharse el pasillo — the corridor narrows
- Las obras estrecharon la calle.The construction work narrowed the street.
- El pasillo se estrecha al final.The corridor narrows at the end.
- Hay que estrechar el vestido por la cintura.The dress needs to be taken in at the waist.
2. to strengthen, deepen
to make a relationship closer
Common combinations
- estrechar lazos — strengthen ties
- estrechar relaciones — strengthen relations
- estrechar la cooperación — strengthen cooperation
- El viaje estrechó nuestra amistad.The trip strengthened our friendship.
- Queremos estrechar los lazos entre las dos familias.We want to strengthen the ties between the two families.
- La colaboración ha estrechado las relaciones entre ambos países.The cooperation has strengthened relations between the two countries.
3. to shake hands, embrace
to greet by taking someone's hand or to hug
Common combinations
- estrechar entre los brazos — hold in one's arms
- El director me estrechó la mano.The director shook my hand.
- Los dos candidatos se estrecharon la mano.The two candidates shook hands.
- La madre estrechó al niño entre sus brazos.The mother held the child in her arms.
Same root
Phrases with this word
estrechar la manoestrechar lazosestrechar el cerco