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"Albergar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to house", and "acomodar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to seat". Learn more about the difference between "albergar" and "acomodar" below.
albergar(
ahl
-
behr
-
gahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to shelter)
a. to house
Este edificio alberga a los empleados y a sus familias.This building houses the employees and their families.
b. to accommodate
Se están construyendo viviendas para albergar a los refugiados.Housing is being built to accommodate the refugees.
c. to be home to
Esta residencia de la tercera edad alberga a más de cien ancianos.This retirement home is home to more than a hundred senior citizens.
2. (to hide)
a. to harbor (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
El granjero fue acusado de albergar a un fugitivo en el granero.The farmer was charged with harboring a fugitive in his barn.
b. to harbour (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Nos chocó saber que los vecinos habían estado albergando a un terrorista todo este tiempo.We were shocked to find our neighbours had been harbouring a terrorist all this time.
3. (to bear)
a. to harbor (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
La señora alberga mucho resentimiento hacia su exesposo.The woman harbors a lot of resentment toward her ex-husband.
b. to harbour (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Creo que Brenda todavía alberga mucho odio hacia el gerente que la echó del trabajo.I think Brenda still harbours a lot of hate towards the manager who fired her.
c. to cherish
La familia todavía alberga la esperanza de que John mejore.The family still cherishes the hope that John will get better.
4. (to contain)
albergarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to shelter
Hombres, mujeres y niños se albergaron en el refugio.Men, women, and children sheltered at the refuge.
b. to take refuge
Nos albergamos en una cueva hasta que pasó la tormenta.We took refuge in a cave until the storm passed.
acomodar(
ah
-
koh
-
moh
-
dahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to seat
El acomodador acomodó al público en su asiento antes del concierto.The usher seated the audience before the concert.
2. (to place) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. to put
¿Puedes acomodar estos vegetales en el cajón del refrigerador?Can you put these vegetables in the refrigerator drawer?
3. (to conform)
a. to adapt
Tuvieron que acomodar los precios a su posible mercado.They had to adapt the prices to their possible market.
b. to adjust
Parece que tendremos que acomodar nuestros gastos a los nuevos términos del presupuesto.It seems like we will have to adjust our spending to the new terms of the budget.
4. (to lodge)
a. to put up
Acomodamos a mi prima en la casa cuando vino de visita.We put up my cousin in our house when she came to visit.
5. (to fix up with a job) (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 a job for
Mi papá acomodó a mi primo Luis en la compañía de muebles.My dad got my cousin Luis a job at the furniture company.
acomodarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
6. (to realign) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. to adjust
Me acomodé el traje y la corbata antes de entrar en la entrevista.I adjusted my suit and tie before I entered the interview.
b. to straighten (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
El doctor se acomodó los lentes antes de operar.The doctor straightened his glasses before operating.
7. (to settle)
a. to make oneself comfortable
En cuanto llegué a casa, me acomodé en el sillón.As soon as I got home, I made myself comfortable on the couch.
b. to settle down
La gata se acomodó en el lugar preferido de mi papá.The cat settled down in my dad's favorite chair.
a. to adapt
Los ciudadanos no estaban satisfechos con los cambios a la ley y tenián que acomodarse a una nueva forma de vida.The citizens weren't happy with the changes to the law and had to adapt to a new way of life.
b. to adjust
A mi hermana le llevó un tiempo para acomodarse a no ir al trabajo mientras que estaba con licencia de maternidad.It took my sister a while to adjust to not going to work while she was on maternity leave.
