echarse a + Infinitive

Start Doing (Abruptly)

Level 5

echarse a + infinitive = to suddenly start doing something

How It Works

The expression echarse a + infinitive is a powerful way to convey that an action began suddenly and with a certain intensity. It's more dramatic than simply using empezar a or comenzar a.

Structure:
Subject + reflexive pronoun + echar (conjugated) + a + infinitive

This structure is particularly common with a specific set of verbs, often related to emotions or movement. These include:

  • llorar (to cry)
  • reír (to laugh)
  • temblar (to tremble)
  • correr (to run)
  • andar (to walk)
  • volar (to fly)

While grammatically possible with other verbs, its use is most natural with these.

Comparison with other periphrases:

  • Ponerse a + infinitive: Also means 'to start doing', but it's more general and lacks the sense of suddenness. It can imply a more deliberate start.
  • Romper a + infinitive: Means 'to burst into', and is even more sudden and violent than echarse a. It's almost exclusively used for actions like crying (romper a llorar) or raining (romper a llover).

Echarse a sits between these two, indicating a start that is abrupt and impulsive but not necessarily as violent as romper a.

Examples (5)

  1. Al oír la mala noticia, se echó a llorar desconsoladamente.

    Upon hearing the bad news, she burst out crying inconsolably.

    Word by Word: Upon to hear the bad news, herself she threw to cry inconsolably.

  2. El público se echó a reír cuando el payaso se tropezó.

    The audience started laughing when the clown tripped.

    The laughter was a sudden, spontaneous reaction.

  3. En cuanto vio al perro, el gato se echó a correr.

    As soon as it saw the dog, the cat started running.

    Word by Word: As soon as saw to the dog, the cat itself threw to run.

  4. Después del susto, me eché a temblar y no podía parar.

    After the scare, I started trembling and couldn't stop.

    This describes the sudden, involuntary onset of trembling.

  5. Los niños se echaron a andar por el sendero del bosque.

    The children started walking along the forest path.

    This implies they set off on their walk suddenly or with enthusiasm.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'ponerse a' where 'echarse a' gives a stronger sudden feeling.

    Different MeaningCuando le conté el chiste, se puso a reír a carcajadas.
    Cuando le conté el chiste, se echó a reír a carcajadas.

    'Se puso a reír a carcajadas' is correct and means 'started to laugh loudly'. 'Se echó a reír a carcajadas' sounds more sudden, like bursting into laughter. Choose 'echarse a' when the start is abrupt.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

echarse a + InfinitiveLevel 5Start Doing (Abruptly)

Learn This First

To learn 'echarse a + infinitive', you need to understand how reflexive pronouns work (since 'echar' must be reflexive here) and how to link verbs using the preposition 'a'. It is also helpful to be familiar with other 'start' periphrases like 'ponerse a' to understand the nuance of suddenness this pattern conveys.

Words in This Pattern

echara