Understanding Verbs
A comprehensive guide to verbs in English. This section covers the basics and complexities of this essential language component.
lucha
fight
The Spanish word 'lucha' translates to 'fight' in English. It is primarily used to denote a struggle or a conflict. 'Lucha' can refer to a physical fight, such as a boxing match, or it can be metaphorical, as in a fight or struggle for rights or justice. Use it in the same manner as you would use 'fight' in English.
Example sentences with lucha →luz
light
In Spanish, the word for 'light' is 'luz'. In most contexts, it is used to indicate the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible. However, it is also sometimes used metaphorically to refer to enlightenment or understanding. Just as in English, it can also refer to the device which produces illumination.
Example sentences with luz →mantener
keep
The Spanish word 'mantener' stands for 'keep' in English. It refers to a variety of actions depending on the context, including to keep doing something (mantener haciendo algo), to keep something in a particular state or condition (mantener algo en un estado o condición) or to support oneself (mantenerse). It is a regular verb in Spanish, and so follows the regular conjugation rules.
Example sentences with mantener →maravilla
wonder
The Spanish word 'maravilla' is generally used to express admiration or surprise towards something beautiful or spectacular. It can be used in a variety of contexts just like 'wonder' in English is used to express similar feelings. For example, you can 'maravilla' to describe a beautiful piece of scenery, an impressive achievement, or a surprising piece of news.
Example sentences with maravilla →masticar
chew
The Spanish word 'masticar' translates to 'chew' in English. This verb is most often used to indicate the process of breaking down food by biting and grinding it in your mouth using your teeth, preparing it to be swallowed and digested.
matar
kill
The Spanish word 'matar' translates to 'kill' in English. It is a verb and is used in various contexts similar to English, for instance, 'Quiero matar el tiempo' (I want to kill time) or 'El cazador mató al ciervo' (The hunter killed the deer). Remember, as with all verbs, the precise form of 'matar' can change with tense and subject.
Example sentences with matar →materia
matter
The Spanish word for 'matter' is 'materia'. In general usage, it is often associated with school subjects (like in 'science matters' translated to 'materias de ciencia'). However, it can also refer to the substance or material that something is made of. Like in English, it can also be used in more abstract concepts like 'issues' or 'matters of importance (asuntos de importancia)'. It's important to note that context is key when determining the correct use of 'materia'.
Example sentences with materia →materia combustible
fuel
The Spanish term 'materia combustible' directly translates into English as 'combustible material'. However, in a more colloquial or common usage, it is used to refer to 'fuel'. Fuel, in English, is any material that is used to produce heat or power by burning. This term is commonly used in industries like energy production, automotive, aviation, and more. It represents substances like coal, wood, oil, or gas, which upon combustion in the presence of oxygen release energy. The energy is then used for achieving different tasks, ranging from simple cooking and heating to propelling vehicles and running factory machines.
Example sentences with materia combustible →mejorar
improve
The Spanish verb 'mejorar' translates to 'improve' in English. It refers to making something better than it was before, or enhancing the quality, value, or extent of something. This could be applied in a variety of contexts, such as improving one's skills, health, or performance in certain activities.
memorizar
to memorize
Memorizar refers to the process of committing information to memory. It is often used as a study technique when specific information needs to be recalled, like dates, formulas, or vocabularies.
Example sentences with memorizar →mencionar
mention
In Spanish, the word 'mencionar' is used quite similarly to the English word 'mention'. It can refer to the act of talking about something briefly or to reference someone or something in a piece of writing or a speech. Like in English, 'mencionar' is a common verb and can be used in a variety of contexts.
Example sentences with mencionar →mente
mind
The Spanish word 'mente' stands for the English term 'mind'. It is used commonly in Spanish to refer to the cognitive process of thought, the intellectual capacity of the brain, or to convey a person's state of thinking. It can be used in various contexts, whether in phrases, idioms, songs or literature, and can be used to describe both the physical organ and the abstract concept of one's consciousness.
Example sentences with mente →metralleta
machine
The word 'metralleta' in Spanish translates to 'machine gun' in English. 'Metralleta' comes from the combination of the Spanish words 'metralla', meaning shrapnel, and the diminutive ending '-eta'. While it could be assumed that 'metralleta' refers to 'machine', it is specificaly used for the term 'machine gun', which is a rapid-fire, automatic firearm designed for the tactical role of suppressing enemy troops.
Example sentences with metralleta →minuto
minute
The Spanish word for 'minute' is 'minuto'. It is used in the same context as it is in English, to indicate a unit of time. The word 'minuto' is a masculine noun in Spanish, so when using it in a sentence, ensure that it agrees with other elements in the sentence.
Example sentences with minuto →mirar
look
The Spanish equivalent for the word 'look' is 'mirar'. 'Mirar' is commonly used in everyday Spanish language. It is a regular verb and conjugates according to the subject and tense. For example, 'Yo miro' means 'I look'. It is often used in a range of contexts, such as asking someone to look at something, stating that one is looking at something, or discussing looking in the general sense.
Example sentences with mirar →mirar de frente
look in front
The Spanish term 'mirar de frente' translates to 'look in front' in English. It is a phrase often used to indicate the action of directing one's gaze straight ahead, or to confront a situation directly without avoidance. Its usage can be both literal, as in looking in the frontal direction, or metaphorical, as in facing a problem head-on. This concept encompasses a broader scope in the Spanish language culture, often used in telenovelas and literature.
mirar de lado
look sideways
The Spanish phrase 'mirar de lado' translates to 'look sideways' in English. This phrase can be used in various contexts. It can be used literally to instruct someone to gaze in a particular direction away from the front. It may also be used figuratively to suggest a skeptical or suspicious look, or to imply that someone is observing something or someone in a clandestine or sly manner.
mirar fijamente
stare
The Spanish phrase 'mirar fijamente' translates to 'stare' in English. It is a verb which refers to look fixedly or intently at someone or something for a long time. It can also express the action of observing attentively or with fixed attention. In different contexts, it might be used to suggest various emotions such as curiosity, confusion, admiration, challenge, or disapproval.
montar(se) en un coche
riding in a car
The Spanish phrase 'montar(se) en un coche' is translated in English as 'riding in a car'. The action referred to by this phrase involves getting into a vehicle, such as a car, for the purpose of traveling from one place to another. It is commonly used in daily conversation and implies that the person is a passenger in the car and not the driver.
Example sentences with montar(se) en un coche →montar(se) en una bicicleta
riding on a bicycle
The Spanish phrase 'montar(se) en una bicicleta' translates to 'riding on a bicycle' in English. This can refer to the act of getting onto a bicycle to start a ride or the entire process from start to finish, which includes balancing, pedaling, steering, and stopping. It is a form of transport, exercise, or recreational activity.
Example sentences with montar(se) en una bicicleta →montar(se) en una moto
riding on a motorcycle
The Spanish phrase 'montar(se) en una moto' translates to 'riding on a motorcycle' in English. This phrase is used when referring to the action of being on a motorcycle, whether it's moving or stationary. The verb 'montar' is used in many Spanish phrases to signify the action of riding or being on top of something. Hence, the phrase 'montar(se) en una moto' can be translated word by word as 'mount oneself on a motorcycle', but in common English we would simply say 'riding on a motorcycle'. Referring to this phrase will help you describe the mode of transportation in Spanish-speaking countries.
Example sentences with montar(se) en una moto →morir
die
The Spanish word 'morir' translates to 'die' in English. It is an irregular verb in Spanish often used to express the action of losing life or ceasing to exist. It's widely used in various contexts, like natural death, withering of plants, deterioration of materials, or the end of a situation or condition. It should be used carefully as it imparts a strong notion of finality.
mostrar
show
In Spanish, 'mostrar' is the equivalent of 'show' in English. It is often used in the context of displaying or presenting something. For instance, if you wanted to say 'show me the book', you would say 'muéstrame el libro'. It can be conjugated differently depending on the subject of the sentence.
Example sentences with mostrar →motor
motor
The Spanish word 'motor' translates to 'motor' in English. It commonly refers to a machine, especially one powered by electricity or internal combustion, that supplies motive power for a vehicle or for some other device with moving parts. It is widely used in various fields like automotive, mechanical, electrical, and many more. Just like in English, the word can also be used metaphorically in Spanish to describe a driving force or influence.
Example sentences with motor →mover
move
In Spanish, 'mover' is used just like the English 'move'. It can be used to express physical movement or the process of changing the position or location of something or someone. It is often used in the context of 'moverse', a reflexive form, which would be translated as 'to move oneself'.
Example sentences with mover →mover la cabeza
move your head
The phrase 'mover la cabeza' in Spanish translates to 'move your head' in English. This typically refers to the physical action of moving one's head, either as a gesture of confirmation or denial (nods and shakes), or simply to change the direction in one is looking in. It is a commonly used phrase in both languages.
mover las manos
move your hands
The Spanish phrase 'mover las manos' translates to 'move your hands' in English. It is commonly used in instructions or imperative sentences, often in scenarios like dance classes, exercise routines, or when providing directions. In these contexts, the phrase may be used as a command or suggestion to change or control the position or movement of one's hands.
mover los brazos
move your arms
The Spanish phrase 'mover los brazos' translates to 'move your arms' in English. This phrase is an instruction, often used in the context of exercise or dance. 'Mover' is a verb which means 'to move', 'los' is a plural article which translates to 'the', and 'brazos' is the plural form of the noun 'brazo', meaning 'arms'. It is used when one wants to ask or instruct someone to move their arms, perhaps as a part of a physical activity or as a direction in a situation.
multiplicar
multiply
The Spanish word 'multiplicar' translates to 'multiply' in English. In math, it means to get the product by combining two or more quantities. For instance, multiplying 2 by 3 gives 6. In the context of daily usage, it may be used in the context of increasing or augmenting something, as in the phrase 'Los problemas se multiplicaron rápidamente', which means 'The problems multiplied rapidly'. Learning verbs such as 'multiplicar' can help in understanding a fundamental aspect of the Spanish language, mathematics, and general usage.
Example sentences with multiplicar →nadar
to swim
'Nadar' refers to the act of moving through water by moving the body.
Example sentences with nadar →