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"Calificar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to grade", and "culpabilizar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to blame". Learn more about the difference between "calificar" and "culpabilizar" below.
calificar(
kah
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lee
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fee
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kahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (education)
a. to grade (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
¡Felicidades! ¡Acabo de terminar de calificar los exámenes y a todos les fue muy bien!Congratulations! I just finished grading the exams and everyone did really well!
La maestra calificará los exámenes la próxima semana.The teacher will grade the exams next week.
b. to mark (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
El profesor está calificando las pruebas.The teacher is marking the tests.
c. to give a grade (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
¿Quién califica a los estudiantes cuando un profesor renuncia?Who gives students a grade when a teacher resigns?
d. to give a mark (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Ya tomé el examen, pero todavía no me calificaron.I've already sat the exam, but haven't been given a mark yet.
a. to describe as
Las críticas la calificaron de pésima actriz.She was described as the worst actress in reviews.
b. to call
Los adultos suelen calificar de irresponsables a los adolescentes.Adults often call teenagers irresponsible.
c. to rate
Sus colegas investigadores la califican de brillante.Her fellow researchers rate her as brilliant.
3. (to allot)
a. to designate as
El gobierno ya calificó el terreno como edificable.The government already designated the lot as building land.
4. (grammar)
5. (to enable)
a. to qualify
El diploma del CEPE te califica para dar clases de español.The CEPE diploma qualifies you to teach Spanish.
a. to rate
Muchos críticos calificaron a este restaurante como el mejor restaurante de comida italiana de la ciudad.Many critics rated this restaurant as the best Italian restaurant in town.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to qualify
El equipo de futbol de mi prepa calificó para la semifinal del torneo.My high school's soccer team qualified for the tournament semifinals.
culpabilizar(
kool
-
pah
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bee
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lee
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sahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to blame
Mi madre siempre culpabiliza a mi padre de todos sus problemas.My mother always blames my father for all her problems.
culpabilizarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to blame oneself
Laura y Juan se culpabilizan por la muerte de su hijo.Laura and Juan blame themselves for the death of their son.
b. to accept the blame
El DG se molestó porque no terminamos el proyecto a tiempo, pero nuestro gerente se culpabilizó.The CEO was upset that we didn't finish the project in time, but our manager accepted the blame.
