implicar

Implicar is a verb used in Spanish and Portuguese with meanings related to involving or linking someone or something to a situation, as well as to imply consequences or accusations. It can denote bringing someone into a matter, entangling them in an action, or assigning responsibility. The reflexive form impĺicarse (Spanish) or implicar-se (Portuguese) expresses involvement in a matter by the subject itself. In many cases, implicar also carries a sense of accusing or associating someone with wrongdoing.

Etymology and classification: implicar comes from Latin implicare, meaning to fold in or entwine, via in- “in” and plicare “to weave.” The sense shift from entangling to involving or implying is common in Romance languages and is reflected in contemporary use.

Usage and nuance: In everyday and formal language, implicar is used with the pattern implicar a alguien en algo (to involve someone in something) and impilarse or implicarse in un asunto (to involve oneself in a matter). It can also mean to implicate someone in a crime or wrongdoing, as in “la policía implicó a varios sospechosos” or “ele está implicado no crime.” The expression isso implica costs or eso implica un coste denotes that something entails certain consequences. In some contexts, implicar overlaps with envolver or involucrar, but implicar often emphasizes linking or accusing, sometimes with a negative or accusatory tone.

Translations and equivalents: Spanish uses implicar with a wide range of senses including involve, imply, and implicate. Portuguese uses implicar similarly, with depois formas de implicar-se indicating self-involvement. Common synonyms include involucrar, envolver, and acusar, depending on context and register.

Examples:

- Spanish: “La investigación implica a varios funcionarios.”

- Spanish: “Lo implicaron en el robo.”

- Spanish: “No quiero implicarme en ese asunto.”

- Portuguese: “A polícia implicou várias pessoas no caso.”

- Portuguese: “Isso implica custos adicionais.”

- Portuguese: “Ele está implicado no crime.”