Understanding Verbs
A comprehensive guide to verbs in English. This section covers the basics and complexities of this essential language component.
cruzar las piernas
cross your legs
The Spanish phrase 'cruzar las piernas' is a command in English that means 'cross your legs'. It is an instruction often given in contexts such as physical wellness classes like yoga or general etiquette. In addition to its literal meaning, the phrase can also colloquially imply the act of waiting patiently or with decorum. Note that 'cruzar' means 'to cross' and 'piernas' means 'legs' in English. Therefore, the literal translation is 'cross the legs'. In Spanish, the whole phrase is more often used, particularly in a formal context.
cruzar los brazos
cross your arms
The Spanish phrase 'cruzar los brazos' translates to 'cross your arms' in English. It is often used to describe the physical action of placing one arm across the other, often done when a person is defensive, doubting, or simply relaxed. It is also used metaphorically in both languages to indicate refusal or resistance to an idea or request.
cruzarse de piernas
cross your legs
The term 'cruzarse de piernas' in Spanish directly translates to 'cross your legs' in English. This is used to describe the physical action of placing one leg on top of the other, typically done while seated. The term is widely used in day-to-day conversations, especially in the context of basic manners or body language discussions.
cubrir
cover
The Spanish word 'cubrir' is used to denote covering, concealing or protecting something. It does not only pertain to physical things, but it can also refer to abstract concepts like covering a topic in a discussion. Its use is similar to the English word 'cover'.
Example sentences with cubrir →cuerda
rope
The Spanish word 'cuerda' translates to 'rope' in English. It can refer to a long, string-like material that is often made from various fibrous or synthetic materials. Ropes have a variety of uses, including lifting or pulling objects, tying things together, and various forms of recreation like climbing or jump rope. In musical context, 'cuerda' can also refer to a string in stringed musical instruments.
Example sentences with cuerda →cuerpo
body
The Spanish word 'cuerpo' is used in the same way as the English term 'body'. It is a general term referring to the physical structure of a human or animal. This can be used in a variety of contexts, like describing physical health, anatomy, or appearance. Example: Mi cuerpo no es capaz de tolerar el frío (My body is not able to tolerate the cold).
Example sentences with cuerpo →cuidado
care
The Spanish word 'cuidado' is used in much the same way as the English word 'care.' It can refer to the action of caring for someone or something, such as in the phrase 'cuidado de niños,' which means 'childcare.' It can also function as an interjection, used to warn of danger or caution, much like saying 'careful!' in English.
Example sentences with cuidado →cultura
culture
The Spanish word for 'culture' is 'cultura'. It's used in the same way as in English, referring to the customs, arts, social institutions, and achievements of a particular nation or people. For example, it can be used in a sentence like 'La cultura española es reconocida por su flamenco y su pasión por el fútbol' which translates to 'Spanish culture is known for its flamenco and passion for football'.
Example sentences with cultura →curso
course
The Spanish word 'curso' is used similarly to the English word 'course'. It can refer to a program of lessons in a specific subject area, a direction that something or someone moves, or a part of a meal. The context of the sentence typically makes it clear which meaning is intended.
Example sentences with curso →dar
give
The word 'dar' is a regular verb in Spanish, and it is equivalent to the English verb 'give'. It is used in a number of contexts and phrases. For example, 'dar un regalo' (give a gift), 'dar las gracias' (give thanks) and 'dar un paseo' (take a stroll). Like in English, 'dar' can be used to indicate that you're giving something tangible or intangible to another person.
Example sentences with dar →dar igual
equal
The Spanish phrase 'dar igual' does not directly translate to 'equal' in English. Its usage is more aligned with the English phrase 'to not care' or 'to not mind'. A more literal translation might be 'to give the same', implying that it doesn't make a difference. Contextually, it is used to express indifference or lack of preference in a situation. Consider the example - 'Me da igual', which in English would be 'I don't mind' or 'It's all the same to me'.
dar un desmayo
faint
The Spanish phrase 'dar un desmayo' translates to 'faint' in English. In other words, when someone 'da da un desmayo', it means they lose consciousness for a short period, often due to lack of oxygen or a sudden drop in blood pressure. This phrase can be used medically or casually to describe the action of fainting.
Example sentences with dar un desmayo →dar un puñetazo
give a punch
The Spanish phrase 'dar un puñetazo' translates to 'give a punch' in English. This phrase is typically used to describe the action of hitting someone or something with a closed hand, similar to its usage in English. It can be used in both a literal sense, such as physically punching someone or something, or figuratively, to represent a strong or impactful action or response.
dar una beca
give a scholarship
The Spanish phrase 'dar una beca' translates to 'give a scholarship' in English. It typically refers to the act of providing financial assistance or award to a student to help support their education. This could be based on various factors, such as the student's academic achievement, talent, or need. Thus, giving a scholarship is a way of enabling or encouraging the recipient to continue and advance their education.
dar una patada
kick
The Spanish phrase 'dar una patada' directly translates as 'give a kick'. In English usage, we simply say 'kick'. This phrase can be used in various contexts just like in English. It's often used to describe the action in sports such as football, or in a physical altercation where one person might 'kick' another. So if you hear or read 'dar una patada', you can be sure it refers to the act of using the foot or leg in a swift motion to hit or strike something or someone.
dar una receta (médica)
give a prescription (medical)
The Spanish phrase 'dar una receta (médica)' literally translates to 'give a prescription (medical)' in English. This phrase is commonly used in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry, where a healthcare professional, such as a doctor or a nurse practitioner, provides a directive, or a 'prescription' to a patient to procure certain medications for their treatment. The action of giving this direction or order is what the phrase 'dar una receta (médica)' describes.
Example sentences with dar una receta (médica) →darse cuenta
realize
The term 'darse cuenta' in Spanish refers to the English term 'realize.' It typically means that someone has come to an understanding or has developed awareness about something. It may be used in a variety of contexts, such as realizing an error in a calculation, realizing the importance of an event, or realizing a fact about oneself. It is often used in past tense to describe when someone realized something.
Example sentences with darse cuenta →debate
debate
The word 'debate' in Spanish translates directly to 'debate' in English. It is used to describe a formal discussion or argument, typically in a public meeting or legislative assembly, in which opposing arguments are advocated. It can also refer to a discussion of a specific topic in a public meeting or legislative assembly, in which the participants present and discuss their views on the topic.
debe
must
The Spanish word 'debe' is used to translate the English term 'must'. It is primarily used to express obligation or necessity. Like in English, it is commonly used in formal contexts or the imperative mood. For example, in the sentence, 'One must learn Spanish', you can say 'Uno debe aprender Español'.
Example sentences with debe →decidir
decide
The Spanish word 'decidir' means 'to decide' in English. In Spanish, it is most frequently used as a verb. The conjugation will change depending on the subject of the sentence and the tense. For example, 'Yo decido' means 'I decide', while 'Ellos decidieron' means 'They decided'. It is used to express the act of making a decision or selection among a group of alternatives or choices.
Example sentences with decidir →decir
tell
In Spanish, 'decir' translates to 'tell' in English. It is a verb used in many contexts, just like 'tell' in English. It can be used to convey speech, to give information, or to instruct or command. Just like English, it is also used in various phrases and expressions.
Example sentences with decir →defender
defend
The Spanish word 'defender' translates to 'defend' in English. It is derived from the Latin word 'defendere'. The term 'defender' is a verb and it signifies the act of resisting an attack made on someone or something; to protect from harm or danger. In other contexts, it can also mean to support or maintain a principle or law, or to assert something in the face of opposition or criticism.
Example sentences with defender →demanda
demand
The Spanish word 'demanda' translates to 'demand' in English. It is commonly used in business and legal contexts, referring to a strong request or need for something. For instance, in economics, it is the quantity of goods or services that consumers are willing and able to purchase at various prices. In law, it refers to a formal accusation or legal proceeding.
deporte
sport
The word 'deporte' in Spanish translates to 'sport' in English. Its usage is similar to English, being used to talk about physical activities in which individuals or teams compete against each other. For example, 'Futbol es un deporte popular en España' translates to 'Football is a popular sport in Spain'. Like in English, the noun 'deporte' can also be used in general to discuss the concept of physical exercise and activity.
Example sentences with deporte →desafío
challenge
The Spanish translation for 'challenge' is 'desafío'. 'Desafío' can be used in any context where the English word 'challenge' applies. For example, it can be used to refer to a difficult task that tests someone's abilities or to challenge a person on their abilities or knowledge. Like 'challenge', 'desafío' can also be used to denote a call to prove or justify something.
Example sentences with desafío →desarrollar
develop
In Spanish, 'desarrollar' translates to 'develop' in English. It is used in various contexts such as technology, business, and personal growth. It could mean to start to grow or change into something, to create something over a period of time, or to cause something to unfold or expand. The usage mirrors the English usage very closely. For example, 'Estoy desarrollando nuevas habilidades.' translates to 'I am developing new skills.'
Example sentences with desarrollar →desayuno
breakfast
The Spanish word 'desayuno' translates to 'breakfast' in English. This word is used to refer to the first meal of the day, typically consumed in the morning. It can include a range of foods, such as bread, fruit, eggs, and coffee in many cultures.
describir
describe
In Spanish, 'describir' means 'to describe'. It is used in the same way it's used in English, to give a detailed account in words about a person, event, or process. Like English, it can be used in various contexts, both formal and informal, and accepts the same sort of adverb modifications.
Example sentences with describir →deseo
wish
The Spanish word 'deseo' can be used in a similar context as in English, to express a strong feeling of wanting something to happen or to express a desire for something. For example, 'Mi deseo es visitar España' which means, 'My wish is to visit Spain.' It is also commonly used in phrases to convey good wishes like 'Te deseo buena suerte' meaning 'I wish you good luck.'
Example sentences with deseo →detalle
detail
The word 'detalle' in Spanish is similar to 'detail' in English. It could refer to a specific or minute element of something or a fact that is small or less important. It is also used to refer to a small act of kindness or a gift. Depending the sentence where it is used, 'detalle' can also have the meaning of paying attention to or noting small things with care and concern.
Example sentences with detalle →