orientó

Orientó is the third-person singular simple past tense form of the Spanish verb orientar. It corresponds to "he oriented," "she oriented," or, in formal address, "you oriented" (usted orientó). The verb orientar means to guide, to direct, to provide orientation or to position something toward a direction or goal. It is a transitive verb, typically taking a direct object such as a person, a task, a plan, a location, or a direction. In addition to guiding people, orientar can refer to aligning or configuring objects, plans, or policies, and to informing someone about a situation so they can act accordingly.

Etymology and related forms: orientar derives from Latin orientare, related to orient-, from oriens “rising, east,” connected to the word for east (oriente). The imperfect and future forms, participles, and other tenses follow regular -ar conjugation patterns in Spanish. The reflexive form orientarse means “to orient oneself,” used when a person seeks to find bearings, understand a situation, or position themselves strategically.

Usage notes: orientó is commonly found in narrative or descriptive passages to indicate a completed action in the past where guidance, direction, or clarification was provided. It contrasts with orientarse, which focuses on the subject’s own process of finding orientation. Examples include guiding travelers toward a destination, directing a team on priorities, or adjusting a device to face a desired direction.

In translation, orientó can be rendered as “he oriented,” “she oriented,” or “you oriented” (usted oriented), depending on the subject.