Marvo Dict en → es · Español

explain

S2 W1

BrE /ɪkˈspleɪn/ AmE /ɪkˈsplɛɪn/

verb en → es

past explained pp explained ing explaining

1 EXPLAIN/CLARIFY [transitive] A2

to make something easier to understand by giving more information or a clearer description of it

explicar, aclarar, dar una explicación

  • explain sth to sb
  • explain why/how sth happened

Collocations explain the rules · explain a problem

  • Can you explain how this machine works?

    ¿Puedes explicar cómo funciona esta máquina?

2 TEACH/INSTRUCT [transitive] B1

to teach or instruct someone about a subject, skill, etc.

enseñar, instruir, dar una clase sobre

  • explain sth to sb

Collocations explain a concept · explain the basics

  • The teacher explained the basic principles of physics.

    El profesor explicó los principios básicos de la física.

Phrasal verbs

explain away EXCUSE/IGNORE B2

explicar algo para deshacerse de él, justificar

  • He tried to explain his mistake away.

    Él intentó explicar su error para deshacerse de él.

explain to sb that sth is the case STATE/DECLARE B2

explicar a alguien que algo es así, declarar

  • She explained to us that she was leaving.

    Ella nos explicó que se iba.

Idioms

explain oneself C1

explicarse, justificarse

  • He had to explain himself to the board of directors.

    Tuvo que explicarse ante el consejo de administración.

explain sth away B2

explicar algo para deshacerse de él, justificar

  • He tried to explain his mistake away.

    Él intentó explicar su error para deshacerse de él.