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encarnar

to embody, to incarnate

verb en-kahr-NAHR Less Common

Origin: From Latin incarnare (in + caro/carnis 'flesh').

Usage Note

Encarnar is a formal-register verb meaning 'to give bodily/concrete form to an idea or role': encarnar un personaje ('to portray a character') or encarnar el mal ('to embody evil'). It is not a synonym of representar in everyday speech; it carries the stronger connotation of an idea made flesh or a role fully inhabited by an actor.

Examples

"El actor encarna al villano con maestría."

Natural Translation

The actor embodies the villain masterfully.

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