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"Afilar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to sharpen", and "aguzar" is a transitive verb which is also often translated as "to sharpen". Learn more about the difference between "afilar" and "aguzar" below.
afilar(
ah
-
fee
-
lahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to hone)
a. to sharpen
El artista usa una cuchilla para afilar sus lápices.The artist uses a blade to sharpen his pencils.
2. (colloquial) (to woo) (Southern Cone)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. to date
Afilaba a esa mujer, pero sus intenciones no eran serias.He was dating that woman, but he wasn't serious about her.
3. (vulgar) (to have sex with) (Chile)
A word or phrase that is crude, indecent, and generally rejected by society.
Regionalism used in Chile
afilarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to taper
Sus dedos son anchos en la base y se van afilando hacia las puntas.Her fingers are wide at the base and taper toward the tips.
b. to get thin
Antes tenía la cara regordeta, pero se le está afilando.She used to have a chubby face, but it's getting thin.
5. (to groom oneself) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. to get ready
¡Tardaste una hora en ducharte y afilarte!You took one hour to shower and get ready!
aguzar(
ah
-
goo
-
sahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to sharpen
Cuando el cazador se perdió en el bosque de noche aguzó sus sentidos para sobrevivir.When the hunter got lost in the forest at night, he sharpened his senses to survive.
b. to prick up (ears)
Si aguzas el oído escucharás el grito Wilhelm típico al principio de la película.If you prick your ears up, you'll hear the typical Wilhelm scream in the beginning of the film.
a. to sharpen
La artista aguzó su lápiz antes de empezar a dibujar.The artist sharpened her pencil before she started to draw.
3. (to prepare)
a. to whet
Será mejor que aguces tu apetito porque hoy prepararé una barbacoa deliciosa de cena.You'd better whet your appetite because I'm making delicious barbecue for dinner.
