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"Alimentar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to feed", and "darle de comer" is an intransitive verb phrase which is also often translated as "to feed". Learn more about the difference between "alimentar" and "darle de comer" below.
alimentar(
ah
-
lee
-
mehn
-
tahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
3. (to feed)
b. to fuel (figurative)
Ver el documental alimentó su deseo de ayudar a los animales maltratados.Seeing the documentary fueled her desire to help mistreated animals.
a. to feed
En el pasado, había que seguir alimentando el motor de los trenes para que no se detuvieran.In the past, train engines needed to be fed continually to keep the trains going.
alimentarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
darle de comer(
dahr
-
leh
deh
koh
-
mehr
)An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
