estrecha

Estrecha is a Spanish term with multiple uses, primarily as an adjective meaning narrow or tight, and as a verb form derived from estrechar. As an adjective, it agrees with the noun it modifies in gender and number: estrecho (masc. sing.), estrecha (fem. sing.), estrechos (masc. plur.), estrechas (fem. plur.). It is used to describe physical dimensions, such as una calle estrecha (a narrow street), as well as figurative narrowness, for example una visión estrecha (a narrow view) or una relación estrecha (a close relationship).

As a verb, estrecha is the present tense form of estrechar for él/ella/usted, and also serves as the affirmative tú command in the same verb family. The root estrechar means to make narrower, to tighten, or to extend a sense of closeness, depending on context. Examples include El río se estrecha en este tramo (the river narrows in this stretch) and Estrecha la mano al saludar (shake the hand when you greet).

Estrecha also occurs in related nouns and expressions. La estrechez denotes narrowness or tightness, and can refer to scarcity or hardship in phrases like la estrechez de recursos. The word forms are part of a broader family related to estrecho, which in Spanish can mean narrow or strait, as well as a noun for a geographic strait.

See also: estrecho, estrechez, estrechar.