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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).
phrase
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.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct 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.
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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.).
transitive verb phrase
a. llamar a
I've been knocking on the door for ten minutes.Llevo diez minutos llamando a la puerta.
b. tocar a
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
(Latin America)
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.).
intransitive verb phrase
2.
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
(to get old)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
(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.
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