Echar often generates confusion for learners, due to the way different forms are written and similarites with other verbs. For example, the participles of 'hacer' and 'echar', which are 'hecho' (with silent initial 'h') and 'echo' respectively).

In this lesson you will learn to conjugate this verb correctly and also you will become familiar with its use in various contexts.

Check the explanations below and then complete the activities that follow to practice.

These are some of the meanings of the verb 'echar' in Spanish.

1. To kick someone out, to fire someone:
   Examples: El padre lo echó de casa porque ya tenía 30 y no quería trabajar. His father kick him out of the house because he was 30 and didn’t want to work.
   El jefe echó a diez empleados porque no llegaban en hora. The boss fired ten employees because they didn’t arrive on time.
2. To release (e.g. a substance)
   Example: La chimenea echaba mucho humo y el vecino se quejó. The fireplace released a lot of smoke and the neighbor complained.
3. To produce or to start to have (esp. about a living thing).
   Example: El árbol echó frutos. The tree gave fruit.
4. Regarding animals, putting male and female together for procreation.
   Example: ¿No vas a echar a tu perra para tener perritos? Aren’t you going to make your dog have puppies?
5. To start doing something.
   Example: Cada vez que Luis cuenta un chiste, María se echa a reír a carcajadas. Every time Luis tells a joke, María starts laughing out loud.
6. To throw something away.
   Example: Tengo que echar una carta al buzón. I have to put a letter in the mailbox.
7. To pour water or other fluid.
   Example: Estas plantas necesitan aguas, ¿quieres que les eche? These plants need water, would you like me to water them?

Idiomatic expressions using 'echar'

Now take a look at these idiomatic expressions with the verb 'echar':

1. Echar en cara (to reproach): María me echa en cara mi falta. María reproaches me for my fault.
2. Echar un vistazo (to take a look): Carlos, échale un vistazo a este libro. Está muy interesante. Carlos take a look at this book. It is very interesting.
3. Echar a volar (to become independent): Es necesario que los hijos se echen a volar cuando son adultos. It is necessary for kids to become independent when they are adults.
4. Echar a perder (to be spoiled): La comida que estaba fuera del refrigerador se echó a perder.The food that was out of the fridge was spoiled.
5. Echarse una pestaña (to take a nap): Tengo mucho sueño, voy a echarme una pestaña. I feel sleepy, I’ll take a nap.
6. Echar una mano (to give a hand): Roberto, ¡échame una mano para terminar la tarea!Roberto, give me a hand to finish this work!
7. Echar de menos (to miss): Echo de menos a mis padres, no los he visto en un largo tiempo.I miss my parents, I haven’t seen them in a long time.
8. Echar por tierra (to shatter): Mi jefe echó por tierra mis planes de irme de vacaciones.My boss destroyed my holiday plans.
9. Echar flores (to compliment): Alberto siempre le echa flores a las chicas guapas.Alberto always compliments pretty girls.
10. Echar una cana al aire (have an affair outside of marriage): A los hombres mayores les gusta echarse una cana al aire de vez en cuando. Old men like having an affair sometimes.
11. Echarse para atrás (to repent): En el último momento los socios se echaron para atrás y no firmaron el contrato. At the last minute the partners repented and didn’t sign the contract.
12. Echar la casa por la ventana (to push the boat out): La fiesta de Roberto fue espectacular, echaron la casa por la ventana. Roberto’s party was fantastic, they pushed the boat out.

Interactive exercises using 'echar'

Let's practice the idiomatic expressions with the verb “echar” with this exercise: