enchufe

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connection, fitting, socket, power outlet, plug
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/enˈt͡ʃufe/
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A connection that joins parts, supplies electricity, or links people through influence, with additional regional uses.
Practice using enchufe in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • Rechazó aquel enchufe y se presentó al concurso público.
    She refused that job through connections and entered the open competition.
  • El cable termina en un enchufe de dos clavijas.
    The cable ends in a two-pin plug.
  • El enchufe del cargador está doblado.
    The charger's plug is bent.
  • Cada tramo tiene un enchufe más ancho en un extremo.
    Each section has a wider socketed end at one end.
  • Comprueba el enchufe antes de abrir la válvula.
    Check the connection before opening the valve.

Similar words

socio
conectador
empalme
junta
compinche
receptáculo
campana
acomodo
favoritismo
amiguismo

Meanings

Connection or fitting

noun
mechanical
neutral
The action, result, or fit produced when one part is inserted into and joined with another.

Examples

  • El enchufe de las dos piezas quedó firme.
    The connection between the two parts was firm.
  • Comprueba el enchufe antes de abrir la válvula.
    Check the connection before opening the valve.
  • Un mal enchufe dejó escapar el aire.
    A poor connection allowed air to escape.
  • El técnico terminó el enchufe de los conductos.
    The technician finished joining the ducts.
  • La junta facilita el enchufe sin herramientas.
    The gasket makes the connection possible without tools.

Similar words

acoplamiento
encaje
unión
empalme

Electrical socket

noun
electricity
neutral
A fixed electrical receptacle into which a plug is inserted to connect equipment to a power supply.

Examples

  • El enchufe está detrás del sofá.
    The socket is behind the sofa.
  • No conectes tantos aparatos al mismo enchufe.
    Do not connect so many devices to the same socket.
  • Necesitamos un enchufe cerca de la mesa.
    We need a power outlet near the table.
  • Ese enchufe no tiene corriente.
    That socket has no power.
  • Protegieron los enchufes para que el bebé no los tocara.
    They protected the sockets so the baby could not touch them.

Similar words

toma
tomacorriente
receptáculo

Electrical plug

noun
electricity
neutral
The part at the end of an electrical cable whose metal pins fit into a socket.

Examples

  • El enchufe del cargador está doblado.
    The charger's plug is bent.
  • Saca el enchufe sujetándolo por la base.
    Remove the plug by holding its base.
  • Este enchufe no cabe en la toma británica.
    This plug does not fit a British socket.
  • Cambió el enchufe viejo de la lámpara.
    She replaced the lamp's old plug.
  • El cable termina en un enchufe de dos clavijas.
    The cable ends in a two-pin plug.

Similar words

clavija
conectador

Socketed end of a pipe

noun
plumbing
technical
The widened or shaped end of a pipe that receives the end of another pipe.

Examples

  • El enchufe del tubo entra diez centímetros en la pieza siguiente.
    The pipe's socketed end enters the next section by ten centimetres.
  • Limpia el enchufe antes de montar la tubería.
    Clean the socketed end before assembling the pipework.
  • El fabricante reforzó el enchufe del caño.
    The manufacturer reinforced the pipe's socketed end.
  • La grieta apareció junto al enchufe del tubo.
    The crack appeared beside the pipe's socketed end.
  • Cada tramo tiene un enchufe más ancho en un extremo.
    Each section has a wider socketed end at one end.

Similar words

embocadura
campana

Joint between pipes

noun
plumbing
technical
The place where two pipes fit together and form a joint.

Examples

  • La fuga está en el enchufe de los dos caños.
    The leak is at the joint between the two pipes.
  • Sellaron el enchufe con una junta de goma.
    They sealed the joint with a rubber gasket.
  • Revisa cada enchufe de la instalación.
    Check every joint in the installation.
  • El agua goteaba por el enchufe mal ajustado.
    Water dripped through the poorly fitted joint.
  • Marcaron el enchufe para facilitar la inspección.
    They marked the joint to make inspection easier.

Similar words

unión
empalme
junta
acoplamiento

Job gained through influence

noun
employment
informal
In Spain, a job or appointment obtained through friendship or political influence rather than merit, used disapprovingly.

Examples

  • Consiguió el puesto por enchufe, no por experiencia.
    He got the job through connections, not experience.
  • En la oficina todos hablaban del enchufe del nuevo director.
    Everyone in the office talked about the new director's connections.
  • Denunciaron un enchufe en la administración local.
    They reported a favoritist appointment in the local administration.
  • Rechazó aquel enchufe y se presentó al concurso público.
    She refused that job through connections and entered the open competition.
  • El enchufe político dañó la confianza en la institución.
    The political favoritism damaged trust in the institution.

Similar words

favoritismo
amiguismo
acomodo
recomendación

Associate or close companion

noun
social
informal
In the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, an informal associate, partner, or close companion.

Examples

  • María es mi enchufe para organizar la actividad.
    María is my associate for organizing the activity.
  • Llamó a su enchufe para cerrar el trato.
    He called his associate to close the deal.
  • Su enchufe llegó temprano para ayudarlo.
    His buddy arrived early to help him.
  • Pregúntale a tu enchufe si quiere participar.
    Ask your associate whether they want to take part.
  • En Puerto Rico, aquel enchufe conocía bien el negocio.
    In Puerto Rico, that associate knew the business well.

Similar words

socio
compinche
amigo
cómplice

Bolivian pinching-chain game

noun
games
informal
In Bolivia, a children's game in which each child pinches the next child to form a chain.

Examples

  • Los niños jugaron al enchufe durante el recreo.
    The children played the pinching-chain game during break.
  • En el enchufe, cada niño pellizca al que tiene al lado.
    In the pinching-chain game, each child pinches the one beside them.
  • La maestra detuvo el enchufe porque alguien lloró.
    The teacher stopped the pinching-chain game because someone cried.
  • El enchufe formó una cadena alrededor del patio.
    The pinching chain formed around the playground.
  • Mi abuelo recuerda haber jugado al enchufe en Bolivia.
    My grandfather remembers playing the pinching-chain game in Bolivia.

Similar words

Etymology

Derived from Spanish enchufar, 'to fit one thing into another or plug in'. The deeper origin of the verb is uncertain.

FAQ

What does enchufe mean?

Enchufe most often means an electrical socket or plug, and it also names mechanical and pipe connections plus several figurative and regional uses.

Is enchufe masculine or feminine?

Standard electrical and pipe uses take masculine agreement, as in el enchufe. The associate sense recorded in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico is feminine in the ASALE dictionary.

Does enchufe mean socket or plug?

It can mean both the wall socket and the cable plug. Context normally makes the intended part clear.

What does tener enchufe mean in Spain?

Tener enchufe means having useful influence or connections that can secure a favor, especially a job or appointment.

Is the influence sense of enchufe neutral?

No. The Spanish job or appointment sense is colloquial and disapproving because it implies favoritism rather than merit.

What is the plural of enchufe?

The regular plural is enchufes.

Where does enchufe come from?

Enchufe is derived from enchufar. The deeper origin of that verb remains uncertain.

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