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emplear

to employ; to use

verb em-pleh-AHR Less Common

Origin: From Latin implicare (to involve, to apply), via Old French.

Usage Note

Emplear means both to employ (hire workers) and to use/apply something — emplear un método (to use a method). The noun empleo covers both employment/job and use. Empleado means employee. Note the distinction from usar (neutral 'to use') — emplear is slightly more formal and implies purposeful application.

Examples

"La empresa emplea a cien personas."

Natural Translation

The company employs a hundred people.

Literal Translation

The company employs to a-hundred people

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