Understanding Verbs

You use this greeting when welcoming someone to a place or situation.

The Spanish word 'abrazar' translates to 'embrace' in English. It is a verb which describes the action of holding someone closely in one's arms, especially as a way of expressing affection. It also signifies the act of accepting or supporting a belief, a cause or a change willingly and enthusiastically. The word 'abrazar' can be used in various scenarios depending on the context. For instance, 'Ella quiere abrazar a su amiga', translates to 'She wants to embrace her friend'.

The Spanish word 'acariciar' translates to 'caress' in English. It is a verb, used often in romantic context, but can also widely be applied to express a gentle touch or stroke, usually conveying affection or comfort. Examples of its application in a sentence are, 'Me gusta acariciar a mi perro' in Spanish translates to 'I like to caress my dog' in English.

The Spanish word 'aceite' translates to 'oil' in English. In the context of cooking, 'aceite' is used to refer to a variety of oils used in food preparation, such as 'aceite de oliva' meaning 'olive oil'. 'Aceite' can also be used in a non-culinary context to refer to oils used in other areas like machinery and automobiles, similar to how 'oil' is used in English.

The word 'aceptar' in Spanish is equivalent to 'accept' in English. It is commonly used in conversation when agreeing to or receiving something. For example, 'Acepto tu oferta' translates to 'I accept your offer'. The word 'aceptar' is a regular verb that agrees with the subject in the Spanish sentences.

In Spanish, 'acercarse' is used in a similar context as 'approach' in English. It can refer to moving closer to a specific physical location or getting closer to achieving a particular objective. However, it's important to note that 'acercarse' is a reflexive verb, so it needs to be used with appropriate reflexive pronouns to convey the meaning accurately. It can also mean to reach out to someone for conversation or to attempt to get to know them better.

The Spanish word 'acto' translates to 'act' in English. This could be related to the action or deed done by a person, or it could refer to a segment of a performance or play in the context of theater. Just like in English, the usage of this term in Spanish largely depends on the context.

In Spanish, 'acuerdo' means 'agree' and it is typically used in sentences to express agreement or concurrence. It can be used in a variety of contexts, just like in English. For instance, you can use it when you want to say you agree with someone's opinion, idea, or proposal. It can also be part of compound words like 'de acuerdo' which essentially mean 'I agree'. Remember, the usage may vary slightly based on the region.

The Spanish word 'aderezar' translates to 'season' or 'dress' in English. It is a verb used commonly in cooking contexts that denotes the act of enhancing or contributing to the flavor of food by adding substances or ingredients such as spices, herbs, or sauces. An example of usage could be: 'Voy a aderezar la ensalada' in Spanish, which translates to 'I am going to dress the salad' in English.

The word 'adivinar' in Spanish is analogous to the English 'guess'. It's commonly used to describe the act of predicting without sufficient information. This term often appears in casual and formal conversations. Additionally, 'adivinar' can find usage in various contexts ranging from playful guessing games to serious conjectures on significant matters.

The Spanish word 'admirador' translates to 'fan' in English. This can refer to a person who has a strong interest or admiration for a specific person, group, or concept. It can also signal someone who is a supporter or enthusiast. Most notably, 'admirador' does not hold the connotation of a cooling or heating device as 'fan' does in English.

The Spanish word 'adquirir' translates to 'acquire' in English. This verb is often used in situations to denote the act of obtaining, gaining, or buying something. For instance, it can be used in the context of acquiring knowledge, purchasing goods, or even obtaining possession of something over a period of time. This word is commonly used in both colloquial and formal conversations.

The Spanish word 'afectar' is used to depict influencing or having an effect on anything. Similar to English, it could be used in various contexts, like affecting a decision, affecting an outcome, or affecting emotions.

The word 'afeitarse' is a reflexive verb in Spanish that translates to 'to shave' in English. It is used when someone removes hair from their face or body using a razor or other grooming tools. This action is commonly performed by men as part of their daily grooming routine, but women may also use this verb when referring to shaving their legs or other areas. The reflexive form emphasizes that the action is done to oneself.

The Spanish word 'aferrar' means to grasp or seize something firmly. It often refers to physically holding onto an object with strength and determination, making it difficult for it to be taken away. In a broader sense, it can also imply a strong emotional or mental attachment to an idea or belief, indicating a deep commitment or resolve to maintain that hold.

The Spanish term 'agacharse' can be translated into English as 'bend down'. The verb 'agacharse' is reflexive and is commonly used to indicate the action of lowering one's upper body towards the ground. It is often used when one is picking up something from the ground or lowering oneself to avoid something overhead.

The word 'ahumar' in Spanish is a verb that translates to 'to smoke' in English. It is used mainly in the context of food preparation, where 'ahumar' means to subject the food to smoke or fumes, usually in a controlled setting like a smoker, in order to add a specific flavor. A more common usage would be 'ahumar el salmón', which means 'to smoke the salmon'. It is worth noting, however, that 'ahumar' does not refer to smoke derived from cigarettes or other similar items for smoking.

The Spanish word 'ala' translates to 'wing' in English. It can refer to the wing of a bird, butterfly, or an airplane. This noun is commonly used in biological contexts and in discussions related to aviation. It is used to describe the part of an animal or object that enables or assists in flight.

The Spanish word 'alarma' translates to 'alarm' in English. It is a noun and it is used to refer to a device or system that signals or warns of danger, problem, or any unexpected situation. It can also mean a state of sudden fear or concern caused by the realization of danger. It is used in various contexts such as security alarm in case of burglary, alarm clock to wake up, or a breach alarm in systems, etc.

The word 'alcanzar' is used in Spanish to mean 'reach', signifying the act of stretching out to touch or grab something or the ability to arrive at a certain point or level. It can be used in various contexts, such as reaching a destination, reaching for a goal, or reaching out to someone. For example, 'No puedo alcanzar la cima de la montaña' translates to 'I can't reach the peak of the mountain'.

The Spanish phrase 'aliñar una ensalada' is directly translated as 'dress a salad' in English. This phrase is used to describe the action of adding dressing, condiments, and flavors to a salad. The word 'aliñar' generally means to season or add flavor to something, and 'una ensalada' is simply one salad in Spanish. Therefore, this phrase could be utilized in the context of preparing a meal, specifically when improving the taste of a salad by adding different elements such as sauce, vegetables, fruits, or seasonings.

The Spanish phrase 'alzar la mirada' translates to 'look up' in English. It's often used to suggest a shifting of one's attention or gaze upward, such as looking at the sky or observing something above one's usual line of sight. Literal translations may yield phrases 'raise the gaze' or 'lift the look', but the common English equivalent is 'look up'.

The Spanish word 'alzarse' means to rise or to elevate oneself. It can refer to physically rising, like getting up from a seated position, or metaphorically, such as rising to a challenge or taking a stand. The term is often used in various contexts, including social movements where individuals or groups elevate their voices to demand change. In essence, 'alzarse' encompasses both the action of rising up and the spirit of asserting oneself.

'Ampliar estudios' is a Spanish phrase that translates to 'expand studies' in English. It is often used to refer to the act of enhancing one's knowledge or skills in a particular field by undertaking additional studies or courses. Its use could vary depending on the context. In a sentence, you may hear it being used in a situation such as 'Voy a ampliar estudios en psicología', which translates to 'I'm going to expand studies in psychology', essentially meaning you're intending to study further or deepen your understanding in the field of psychology.

The Spanish word 'andar' is commonly used to mean 'walk' in English. It refers to the activity of moving by putting one foot in front of the other, as humans do in their daily life. Andar can also be used in a general sense referring to the ability of something or someone to function or to progress. For instance, 'Esta máquina no anda bien.' translates to 'This machine doesn't work well.'

The phrase 'andar ladeado' translates to 'to walk sideways' in English. It is used to describe a way of walking where a person moves their body in an angled position rather than going straight forward. This can happen for various reasons, like trying to avoid obstacles, carrying something that makes it difficult to walk straight, or even as a playful manner of walking. The term captures a specific movement pattern that is not typical of regular walking.

The Spanish word 'anfitrión' translates to 'host' in English. It is used to refer to a person who receives or entertains guests at home or other places. Similarly to English, this word can also refer to a person or organization that invites guests to a function or event and provides the facilities for it. Interestingly, 'anfitrión' can also be used in a biological context to refer to an organism that harbors a parasite.

The Spanish verb 'angustiarse' translates to 'to become distressed' or 'to feel anguish' in English. It refers to the emotional state of experiencing anxiety, worry, or sorrow about something. When someone 'angustiarse', they often feel overwhelmed by negative thoughts or feelings, causing significant emotional discomfort. It can be related to various situations such as personal problems, fears about the future, or other stress-inducing circumstances.

'Anticipo' is a Spanish word that translates to 'advance' in English. It is often used in the contexts of finance and planning, where it can refer to a payment made ahead of its due date, or an action taken earlier than planned. This word exhibits the kind of forward-thinking that is common in both Spanish and English cultures. Thus, 'anticipo' provides an interesting glimpse into the shared values and priorities across languages.

The word 'aparecer' in Spanish is usually used to denote the action of coming into sight or becoming visible. It can also refer to the act of becoming present or available. It's used in much the same way as the English word 'appear'. Context may vary the use and meaning of the word.