Spanish
Vocab Builder for commonly used words in Spanish.
dar la vez
The Spanish phrase 'dar la vez' does not actually mean 'give the time' in English. Instead, this phrase is more accurately translated to 'give the turn' or 'yield the turn', which refers to allowing someone else to have their turn in a conversation, game or any rotational activity.
dar la vuelta al mundo
The Spanish phrase 'dar la vuelta al mundo' directly translates to 'to turn the world around' in English. This is a commonly used phrase in Spanish-speaking countries and can signify the act of traveling all around the world. It is essential to note that this expression is idiomatic and does not literally mean to spin the planet Earth.
Example sentences with dar la vuelta al mundo →dar náuseas
The Spanish term 'dar náuseas' is an idiomatic expression that literally translates to 'give nausea'. However, it is usually used to denote the act of feeling nauseous or to express that something is causing nausea. For instance, 'This smell gives me nausea' could be translated as 'Este olor me da náuseas'. In certain contexts, it could also be used to express strong dislike or discomfort towards something or someone.
dar pánico
'Dar pánico' is a Spanish phrase that directly translates to 'give panic' in English. However, in context, it is often used to express a strong feeling of fear or anxiety, similar to the English phrase 'to cause panic' or 'to scare'. It is generally used when something or someone causes extreme discomfort or apprehension.
dar pena
'Dar pena' is a Spanish phrase that is often translated to 'pity' in English. However, it can be used in multiple contexts and is not always a direct translation. Sometimes, it is used to express feeling sorry for someone or something, also known as pity. For instance, 'Me da pena que no puedas venir' means 'I feel sorry that you can't come'. In a more colloquial use, 'dar pena' is used to express embarrassment or shame, in which case a better translation could be 'it's embarrassing' or 'it's a shame'. Understanding the nuances of 'dar pena' can help English speakers better comprehend the emotional nuances of the Spanish language.
dar puntos
The Spanish phrase 'dar puntos' directly translates to 'give points' in English. It is commonly used in the context of assigning or granting points or scores in a game, competition, or any form of evaluation. Additionally, it's used in the figurative sense to denote the act of acknowledging someone's good efforts or merits in conversations.
Example sentences with dar puntos →dar sed
The Spanish phrase 'dar sed' translates to 'give thirst' in English. However, in usage, it is often used in the same context we use 'thirst' or 'to be thirsty'. It is primarily used to express a need or desire for a drink due to dehydration, often after physical exertion. As many idioms and phrases, the literal translation may not always make sense, but it is a commonly used phrase in Spanish speaking regions to indicate thirst.
dar terror
The Spanish phrase 'dar terror' directly translates to 'give terror' in English. However, this phrase is usually used metaphorically, not literally, much like the English equivalent 'to scare' or 'to terrify'. In a sentence, 'dar terror' would typically imply inducing fear or horror in someone. So, in everyday use, 'dar terror' might be an appropriate Spanish idiom to use when something or someone scares or terrifies another.
dar un abrazo
The phrase 'dar un abrazo' in Spanish translates to 'give a hug' in English. It is often used in everyday situations to express love, affection, and comfort towards family members, friends, and loved ones. The verb 'dar' specifically means 'give', while 'un abrazo' is 'a hug', thus collectively meaning 'give a hug'. This phrase is a good example of Spanish's expressive and emotional language, showcasing the importance of physical expressions of affection in Hispanic cultures.
dar un beso
The Spanish term 'dar un beso' translates to 'give a kiss' in English. It is commonly used in conversational Spanish, similar to how English speakers might say 'give a kiss'. This term can be used in various contexts such as when showing affection, when greeting or saying goodbye to someone, or even in a more romantic setting between couples. Its usage is subject to cultural norms and varies amongst Spanish-speaking countries.
dar un buen servicio
The Spanish phrase 'dar un buen servicio' translates to 'give a good service' in English. It is a phrase often used in context with providing high-quality or commendable service in professions such as hospitality, customer service, or any business that involves interaction and provision of services to customers or clients. It is an expression of hoping to meet or exceed someone's expectations in order to create a positive impression and foster business relations.
dar un desmayo
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 discurso
The Spanish phrase 'dar un discurso' translates to 'give a speech' in English. It's used to express the process of delivering an organized, structured, and formal public oral presentation, typically for conveying an idea, arguing a point or expressing personal sentiments and experiences to an audience. As well as giving a performance, the speaker may also employ a range of rhetorical techniques and skills to persuade or influence their viewers.
dar un discurso de clausura
The Spanish phrase 'dar un discurso de clausura' translates to 'give a closing speech' in English. This phrase is commonly used in formal events or gatherings where there is a speech or discussion that officially signals the end of the event or session. 'Dar' means 'to give', 'un discurso' translates to 'a speech', and 'de clausura' means 'closing' or 'of closure'. To say 'dar un discurso de clausura' indicates the act of presiding over the final part of an event or ceremony by delivering a speech.
dar un discurso inaugural
The Spanish phrase 'dar un discurso inaugural' translates to 'give an opening speech' in English. This is often used in the context of events or ceremonies, where a person gives a speech at the beginning to formally open or start the session, event, or function. The verb 'dar' translates to 'give', 'un' translates to 'an', 'discurso' translates to 'speech' and 'inaugural' translates to 'opening'. Thus combined, it translates to 'give an opening speech'.
dar un dolor
The Spanish phrase 'dar un dolor' directly translates to 'give a pain' in English. However, it's used more broadly to mean causing discomfort or distress to someone, both physically and emotionally. Metaphorically, it can be used to denote posing a problem or causing trouble in various situations.
dar un frenazo
In English, 'dar un frenazo' translates to 'to brake'. This phrase is typically used in the context of operating a vehicle. When a driver 'da un frenazo', they are applying the brakes sharply or suddenly, often to avoid a collision or an obstacle on the road.
Example sentences with dar un frenazo →dar un golpe de Estado
The Spanish phrase 'dar un golpe de Estado' translates to 'give a coup d'etat' in English. A coup d'etat is a sudden and decisive act in politics, especially one resulting in a change of government illegally or by force. It's worth noting that the direct translation can be seen as confusing, as we don't typically 'give' a coup d'etat in English. Instead, we might say 'carry out' or 'execute' a coup d'etat.
Example sentences with dar un golpe de Estado →dar un infarto
The Spanish phrase 'dar un infarto' is translated into English as 'give a heart attack'. It is often used in a medical context to refer to the occurrence of a sudden interruption or insufficiency of the blood supply to the heart, typically resulting from a blockage in a coronary artery. While literally translated it seems to imply the act of causing someone else a heart attack, it is typically used to describe a person experiencing a heart attack themselves.
Example sentences with dar un infarto →dar un mal servicio
The phrase 'dar un mal servicio' in Spanish can be translated to 'give a bad service' in English. It refers to the act of providing unsatisfactory or poor service in any context. This could relate to customer service in industries such as retail, hospitality, or any other service-based industry. The phrase expresses dissatisfaction and disappointment regarding the quality of service received.
dar un pinchazo
The Spanish phrase 'dar un pinchazo' translates to 'give a shot' in English. It is commonly used in medical contexts, such as when a doctor or nurse administers a shot or injection to a patient. However, it can also be used to describe the act of quickly piercing something with a sharp object. The phrase is a combination of 'dar' (give), 'un' (a), and 'pinchazo' (pinch or poke), thus creating the meaning of giving a poke or a shot.
dar un puñetazo
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 un tratamiento
The Spanish phrase 'dar un tratamiento' translates to 'give a treatment' in English. It is often used in medical contexts to refer to the act of administering a specific course of medical care to a patient. It can also be used more broadly to mean the act of dealing with or managing a certain situation. For instance, in a salon a stylist might 'dar un tratamiento' to someone's hair, meaning that they provide a specific hair treatment or service.
Example sentences with dar un tratamiento →dar un volantazo
The Spanish phrase 'dar un volantazo' reflects an action typically performed while driving. In English, it translates to 'to swerve'. This action involves quickly turning the steering wheel in a sudden and sharp manner, causing the vehicle to abruptly change its direction. This term can be used to describe a sudden change of direction in any context, not just in vehicle operation.
Example sentences with dar un volantazo →dar una beca
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 clase magistral
The Spanish phrase 'dar una clase magistral' translates to 'give a master class' in English. It is usually used in academic settings where an expert or professor gives an in-depth lecture or demonstration on a particular subject, thoroughly teaching all its aspects. This phrase captures an event that showcases expertise and deep knowledge, often engaging and enlightening the students or audience.
dar una despedida de soltero
The Spanish phrase 'dar una despedida de soltero' translates to 'give a bachelor party' in English. This phrase is often used in the context of organizing or hosting a celebration or a party just before a man gets married, typically involving activities that the groom enjoys with his friends.
dar una fiesta de fin de curso
The Spanish phrase 'dar una fiesta de fin de curso' translates to 'give an end-of-course party' in English. This phrase is typically used in an academic context. It signifies the action of hosting or throwing a party to celebrate the end of an academic term, semester or year. This may include serving food, playing music, and creating a festive atmosphere to commemorate the closing of a course or term.
dar una noticia
The phrase 'dar una noticia' in Spanish translates to 'give news' in English. It is primarily used in the context of sharing information or telling someone about notable events, similar to how 'give news' is used in English. There's also an added nuance that the person 'giving news' is usually someone in a position to share information first, such as a reporter or a source. Therefore, it is a phrase that is often used in news broadcasts or formal situations where news is being passed along.
dar una parálisis
The Spanish phrase 'dar una parálisis' translates in English to 'give a paralysis'. This phrase is typically used in metaphorical situations in a Spanish speaking context. It does not literally mean causing someone to have a physical paralysis. Instead, it could be used to express causing someone to be extremely shocked or surprised to the point where they are momentarily 'paralysed' and unable to respond or take action.
Example sentences with dar una parálisis →