fijar

Fijar is a Spanish verb with several related meanings centered on making something firm, definite, or noticeable. As a transitive verb, it primarily means to fasten or attach something to a surface: fijar un cuadro a la pared, fijar un tornillo. It also means to establish or determine something in a formal way: fijar una fecha, fijar un precio, fijar las reglas. In addition, it can mean to set something in place or to resolve an issue, as in fijar un objetivo or fijar una decisión. In figurative use, it can also mean to fix in memory or attention: fijar una imagen en la memoria.

The reflexive form fijarse has two common senses: 1) to pay attention or notice: fijarse en un detalle; 2) to set one’s sights on something or someone: fijarse en alguien.

Etymology: fijar comes from Latin figere, meaning to fix or fasten, through the evolution of Old Spanish to its current form.

Conjugation note: fijar is a regular -ar verb. Examples of forms include present indicative: yo fijo, tú fijas, él/fija; preterite: fijé, fijaste, fijó, fijamos, fijasteis, fijaron. The past participle is fijado and the gerund is fijando.

See also: fijación, fijar precios, fijar la atención.