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"At the door" is a phrase which is often translated as "en la puerta", and "knock on" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "llamar a". Learn more about the difference between "at the door" and "knock on" below.
at the door(
aht
thuh
dor
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. en la puerta
I'm already at the bar. I'll wait for you at the door.Ya estoy en el bar. Te espero en la puerta.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
I knocked at the door and the butler appeared.Llamé a la puerta y apareció el mayordomo.
I listened at the door and heard my parents arguing.Pegué el oído a la puerta y oí que mis padres estaban discutiendo.
knock on(
nak
an
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
b. tocar a (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
Someone's knocking on the door. Will you answer it?Alguien está tocando a la puerta. ¿Abres?
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.).
2. (colloquial) (to get old) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
a. envejecer
Lyle is knocking on and isn't nearly as active as he once was.Lyle está envejeciendo y ya no es ni de lejos tan activo como antes era.
