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"Cabalgar" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to ride", and "montar a caballo" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to ride a horse". Learn more about the difference between "cabalgar" and "montar a caballo" below.
cabalgar(
kah
-
bahl
-
gahr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to ride
El jinete cabalgó durante horas bajo el sol del desierto.The rider rode for hours under the desert sun.
b. to go riding
¿Te gustaría salir a cabalgar este fin de semana?Would you like to go riding this weekend?
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
montar a caballo(
mohn
-
tahr
ah
kah
-
bah
-
yoh
)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.).
1. (general)
a. to ride a horse
Nunca he montado a caballo. ¿Es difícil?I've never ridden a horse. Is it difficult?
b. to go horseback riding
¡Me encanta montar a caballo! Todos los veranos voy a la granja de mi tío a montar con él.I love to go horseback riding! Every summer, I go to my uncle's farm and ride horses with him.