lay

to put something in a flat position on a surface

poner, colocar

• lay sth down/on the table

Collocations lay the book on the table · lay your head on the pillow

• She laid her hand gently on his shoulder.

  Ella puso su mano gentilmente en el hombro de él.

to produce and leave eggs in a nest or other place

poner huevos

• sb/sth lays eggs

• The hen laid an egg this morning.

  La gallina puso un huevo esta mañana.

(of a person) to rest in bed or on a couch, especially because you are ill

acostarse, echarse

• sb lays down

• He had to lay down because he was feeling dizzy.

  Tuvo que acostarse porque se sentía mareado.

(formal) to state or express something in a particular way

expresar, formular

• lay sth out clearly

• The report lays out the facts very clearly.

  El informe expresa los hechos de manera muy clara.

(formal) to establish something as a basis for future development or action

establecer, fundar

• lay the foundation/groundwork

• The new law lays the groundwork for future reforms.

  La nueva ley establece las bases para futuras reformas.

(of an animal) to rest on a surface, especially in order to sleep or give birth

acostarse, echarse

• sb/sth lays down

• The cat laid down in the sun.

  El gato se echó al sol.

(of a ship) to rest on the bottom of the sea, especially because it has sunk

hundirse, quedar hundido

• sb/sth lays at the bottom

• The ship laid on the ocean floor.

  El barco quedó hundido en el fondo del océano.

(of a person) to rest in bed or on a couch, especially because you are ill (past tense of lie)

acostarse, echarse

• sb laid down

• She had to lay in bed all day.

  Ella tuvo que acostarse en la cama todo el día.