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enjoy = disfrutar or gozar?

enjoy = disfrutar or gozar?

2
votes

The dictionary gives both words. However, my students, (all from Mexico) said that they have only heard the word 'gozar' used for sex. I would like to know if you guys out there would agree with that. I make a fool out of myself enough as it is, I don't want to use a word with one of my student's mothers that could get me in trouble!

20132 views
updated Feb 23, 2010
posted by jthomas29

6 Answers

1
vote

I am afraid your students lack complete knowledge of their native language. Many times in Mexico, I have seen and heard commercials for Pepsi Cola, "Goza la vida. Toma Pepsi Cola." In Mexico, Gozar is used for both intimate and everyday interpretations of Enjoy and naturally, there are cases where Disfrutar works better than Gozar. It's the educated people in Mexico who distinguish among the contextual meanings of the word.

gozar.

(De gozo).

  1. tr. Tener y poseer algo útil y agradable. Gozar de sus riquezas.

  2. tr. Tener gusto, complacencia y alegría de algo. U. t. c. prnl.

  3. tr. Conocer carnalmente a una mujer.

  4. intr. Sentir placer, experimentar suaves y gratas emociones U. t. c. prnl. Gozarse en la suerte de los demás.

  5. intr. Tener alguna buena condición física o moral. Gozar DE buena salud, vitalidad, estimación, fama.

~la.

  1. loc. verb. Pasarlo bien, disfrutar con alguien o algo.

Real Academia Española © Todos los derechos reservados

updated Feb 24, 2010
posted by 005faa61
0
votes

Am from Mexico and disfrutar is for to enjoy food or class and hobby. Gozar in mexico is no that good.

updated Feb 23, 2010
posted by Rey_Mysterio
0
votes

Same in Argentina. Never say "gozar" in everyday conversation. Just use it for sex. I agree with your students. smile

updated Feb 23, 2010
posted by Benz
0
votes

Is it used mainly for sex then Heidita? Our dictionary says Gozar (disfrutar) as if they are direct synonyms or something.

updated Feb 23, 2010
posted by jeezzle
Yes, actually, in Spain it is not used at all, very rarely and then only in "this" sense - 00494d19, Feb 23, 2010
Gracias jefe. - jeezzle, Feb 23, 2010
0
votes

HI thomas, no gozar should not be used in a normal conversation.

Gozo con la clase...would sound really weirdconfused

Better: me lo paso bien, disfruto la clase

updated Feb 23, 2010
posted by 00494d19
0
votes

Gozar does seem less formal and it is used in slang to say "how fun" "que goce" but it is not a word that will get you in trouble with any mothers, then again i am from Ecuador and some words we do not consider vulgar mexican people do

updated Feb 23, 2010
posted by anglsmash