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"Abrasar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to burn", and "arder" is an intransitive verb which is also often translated as "to burn". Learn more about the difference between "abrasar" and "arder" below.
abrasar(
ah
-
brah
-
sahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to blaze)
a. to burn
A pesar del esfuerzo de los bomberos, las llamas abrasaron todo el bosque.Despite the firefighters' efforts, the flames burned the entire forest.
2. (to scald)
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to burn
¡Este estofado abrasa! Todavía no puedo comerlo.This stew is burning! I can't eat it yet.
b. to be boiling hot
La salsa abrasa. Espera a que se enfríe un poco.The sauce is boiling hot. Wait until it cools down.
abrasarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
5. (to be hot)
a. to swelter
¡Me estoy abrasando de calor! ¿Puedes prender el aire acondicionado?I'm sweltering in here! Can you turn on the air conditioner?
a. to be burned down
El trigal se abrasó completamente, provocando graves pérdidas para el granjero.The farmer suffered a great loss as the wheat field was burned down entirely.
a. to be parched
El campo se abrasó debido a la falta de lluvias.The field was parched due to the lack of rain.
arder(
ahr
-
dehr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to burn
Se podían distinguir los tejados del pueblo que ardían en la noche.The roofs of the village could be seen burning in the night.
a. to sting
Me ardió mucho el corte al ponerle alcohol.The cut stung a lot when I put alcohol on it.
b. to burn
Me debería haber puesto crema solar ayer. Me arde la espalda.I should have put sunscreen on yesterday. My back is burning.
c. to smart
Ese corte que me hice con el papel me arde.The paper cut I got is making my finger smart.
arderse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to burn up
El campo fue alcanzado por un rayo y todo nuestro maíz se ardió.A bolt of lightning struck the field, and all of our corn burned up.
