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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.).
intransitive verb
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.).
transitive verb
a. to cover
El caballo intentó cabalgar a la hembra sin éxito.The stallion tried to cover the female unsuccessfully.
b. to mount
Les tapé los ojos a mis hijos cuando vi que el semental cabalgaba a la hembra.I covered my children's eyes when I saw that the stud horse was mounting the mare.
a. to ride
No es nada fácil cabalgar un toro mecánico.It's no easy thing to ride a mechanical bull.
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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.).
intransitive verb phrase
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.
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