difference between tardar and durar

Question

I am not sure how to diferenciate between "tardar" and "durar". Is there any difference?

In my case, i would like to know how to say "the flight lasts 3 hours" and "it takes 2 days to complete the work".

Thanks for your help

(excuse my bad English..)

Great question! - --Mariana--, Mar 14, 2012

Answer 1

I would say:

Tardar = to take

Example: It takes two hours to paint a house. (Tarda dos horas en pintar un casa)

Durar = to last

Example: The flight to Spain takes (lasts) two hours. (El vuelo a España dura dos horas)

Answer 2

In the sense of "tardar" it would be "It takes 5 hours to get there." "Tarda 5 horas en llegar."

In the sense "durar" it would be "It lasts 5 hours." "Dura 5 horas."

They essentialy say the same thing, but the nuance is different.