When do you use "arder" o "quemar"?

Question

What is the difference or when do you use "arder" or "quemar"?

Answer 1

In Spain "arder" is used frequently, but regardless of the regional preferences of use, there is a crucial difference in how you use them:

Algo arde = something burns / is burning

Algo quema = something will burn YOU if you touch it (=something is burning hot)

Algo se quema = Algo arde

Quemar algo = to burn something ("arder algo " is incorrect)

In other words, "arder" says that the subject of the sentence is in flames, but "quemar" is a verb where the subject of the sentence is the person or thing that burn other things. With "quemar", the subject makes the object burn. Once you add "se" to "quemar", the subject simply burns, like in "arder", since the "se" makes the verb intransitive.

Very interesting! Thanks! - Alicia-53, Aug 17, 2010

Su respuesta me interesó también. ¿Sería correcto decir, "Me quemo aprender." as a way to say one really wants to learn? - AcercaCielo, Apr 20, 2014

Wow I just realized I switched from Spanish to English there without even realizing it. - AcercaCielo, Apr 20, 2014

Answer 2

So, what I understand is that “quemarse” and “arder” are the same thing?

Answer 3

Hola,

Más ejemplos:

Me arden los ojos = my eyes burn

Me quema = it burns me

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

Cuando llegaron los bomberos la casa ya había ardido. when the fire fighters arrived the house had already burnt down.

Answer 5

I've rarely heard "arder" (or some version of it) in general conversation, except when talking about liquor. It seems like in every community has its own version of "aguardiente", which I always think of as "fire water." The term "quemar" seems to be more common.