Using Meter

Using 'Meter' Meter is one of those verbs that can mean a wide variety of things depending on the context. Much like poner, with which its meanings overlap, it often carries the idea of interjecting someone or something into a place or situation. Meter has no direct English equivalent, although it is a cousin of words such as permit, commit and mission. It has no apparent connection with the verb to mete nor the noun meter. Meter comes from the Latin verb mittÄ•re, which meant to let go or to send. Meter is conjugated regularly, following the pattern of beber and many other verbs. It is frequently used reflexively. The most common translations for meter are to put and to place. Some examples: El empresario metià ³ el dinero en un banco suizo. The businessman put the money in a Swiss bank. Yo metà ­ la cabeza debajo de la almohada para no oà ­rla. I placed my head underneath the pillow so I wouldnt hear her. Cuando vamos a meter peces en el acuario, debemos seguir unas pautas. When were going to put fish in the aquarium, we should follow some guidelines. La chef metià ³ una pizza encima de papel de aluminio en el horno. The chef placed a pizza on top of aluminum foil in the oven. Van a la playa y meten los pies en el agua. Theyre going to the beach and putting their feet in the water. A la edad de ocho aà ±os, su padre lo metià ³ en la escuela jesuita. At the age of eight, his father put him in the Jesuit school. Go into or enter is a good translation in some situations: Un intruso se metià ³ en la casa de la cantante. An intruder entered the singers house. Se metieron en la oficina, cerrando la puerta. They went into the office, closing the door. In sports, meter can mean to score: El otro dà ­a nos metieron dos goles ilegales. The other day they scored two illegal goals against us. Meter can be used to refer to getting involved with something, often in a negative sense such as meddling: No es necesario meter a Dios en estas cosas. It isnt necessary to get God involved in these things. No te debes meter en mi vida. You shouldnt involve yourself in my life. Mis jefes se meten en mis asuntos privados. My bosses are meddling in my private affairs. In some circumstances, meter can mean to give, so once in a while its meaning overlaps with dar: Abrà ­ un mensaje una vez y se me metià ³ un virus. I opened a message one time and it gave me a virus. La policà ­a me metià ³ cuatro multas por tirar papeles. The police gave me four tickets for littering. Sources: Sample sentences have been adapted from a variety of sources that include Perià ³dico Santa Pola, ABC.es, Interzoo, Wattpad, El Paà ­s (Spain), es.Yahoo.com, Taringa.net, Zasca.com and Compartir Tecnologias.