permutar

Permutar is a Spanish verb that means to rearrange the order of elements or to exchange the positions of items. It is commonly used in mathematics, computer science, and everyday language to describe generating a permutation or a reordering of a set. In English, the verb is usually translated as “to permute,” with nuance depending on context.

Etymology and form: Permutar comes from Latin permutare, formed by per- “through” and mutare “to change.” In modern Spanish it is a regular -ar verb and follows standard conjugation patterns. Present indicative forms are: yo permuto, tú permutas, él/ella permuta, nosotros permutamos, vosotros permutáis, ellos/ellas permutan.

Usage and contexts: In mathematics, a permutation is a rearrangement of a set, and permutar describes the action of obtaining such a rearrangement. In computer science, one may permute elements of an array or data structure to test different orders or to implement algorithms that rely on permutations. In everyday language, permutar can refer to swapping or reordering parts, components, or items to achieve a desired arrangement. A common distinction is that intercambiar or cambiar de lugar often describes swapping two elements, while permutar emphasizes rearrangement in general.

Examples: “Vamos a permutar las piezas para ver si encajan.” “El algoritmo genera todas las permutaciones posibles de la lista.” See also: permutación, reordenar, intercambiar.