estrechar

to tighten, to narrow

verb ehs-treh-CHAHR Rare

Also means

to strengthen (a relationship)

Usage Note

Estrechar is used for physically narrowing something (la calle se estrecha, the street narrows) and for strengthening bonds (estrechar lazos, to strengthen ties; estrechar la mano, to shake hands). The reflexive estrecharse describes a space becoming narrower. The idiom estrechar la mano is the standard way to say 'to shake hands' in formal Spanish.

Examples

"Los dos países decidieron estrechar sus relaciones."

Natural Translation

The two countries decided to strengthen their relations.

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