vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Change" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "cambiar", and "shift" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "mover". Learn more about the difference between "change" and "shift" below.
change(
cheynj
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to alter)
a. cambiar
The presenter changed outfits three times during the ceremony.El presentador cambió de traje tres veces durante la ceremonia.
They might change their mind about going to the party nearer the time.Puede que cambien de idea de si ir o no a la fiesta cuando se acerque la fecha.
a. cambiar
I changed dollars into pesos as soon as I arrived in Mexico City.Cambié dólares a pesos en cuanto llegué al Distrito Federal.
I want to change these pants for that sweater.Quiero cambiar estos pantalones por ese suéter.
a. cambiar
I just changed the baby and he's already dirtied another diaper.Acabo de cambiar al bebé y ya ha ensuciado otro pañal.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. cambiar
I want to go to the reunion to see how everyone has changed.Quiero ir a la reunión para ver cómo han cambiado todos.
When the leaves start to change, it makes me want to break out my sweaters.Cuando las hojas empiezan a cambiar, me dan ganas de sacar mis suéteres.
a. cambiar
To go downtown, you have to change at the next stop.Para ir al centro, tienes que cambiar en la siguiente parada.
b. hacer transbordo
You can change to a brown-line train at Fullerton.Puedes hacer transbordo a un tren de la línea marrón en Fullerton.
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
a. el cambio (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
After ten years in New York, I just felt a change was necessary.Después de diez años en Nueva York, simplemente pensaba que un cambio era necesario.
8. (alteration)
b. la variación (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
There has been no change in the patient's condition.No ha habido variación alguna en el estado del paciente.
c. el sencillo (M) (Latin America)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
Have you got any change to buy the newspaper?¿Tienes algo de sencillo para comprar el periódico?
e. el menudo (M) (Caribbean) (Colombia) (Costa Rica)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Regionalism used in the Caribbean: Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico
Regionalism used in Colombia
Regionalism used in Costa Rica
I need some change to pay for parking.Necesito menudo para pagar el estacionamiento.
10. (money returned)
c. el vuelto (M) (Latin America)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
The waiter hasn't returned with our change.El mesero no ha regresado con nuestro vuelto.
a. la muda (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Don't forget to pack a change of clothes when you go to the swimming pool.No te olvides de llevar una muda de ropa cuando vayas a la piscina.
shift(
shihft
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to move)
a. mover
The administration shifted the employee entrance to the back of the building.La administración movió la entrada de empleados a la parte trasera del edificio.
The train shifted suddenly, knocking me off balance.El tren se movió de repente y perdí el equilibrio.
b. correr
We need to shift those tables because they block the entrance.Hay que correr esas mesas porque estorban la entrada.
2. (to change)
a. cambiar
We need to shift people's opinions if we are going to win this campaign.Necesitamos cambiar las opiniones de la gente si vamos a ganar esta campaña.
a. cambiar de
You have to learn to shift gears if you want me to lend you my car.Tienes que aprender a cambiar de marcha si quieres que te preste mi coche.
4. (to sell)
a. vender
The boss just called and said we need to shift all the stocks we have in oil companies.El jefe acaba de llamar y dijo que hay que vender todas las acciones que tenemos en empresas de petróleo.
5. (colloquial) (to remove) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
a. sacar
I need to buy some bleach to try and shift these stains.Tengo que comprar lejía para ver si puedo sacar estas manchas.
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
6. (change)
a. la palanca de cambios (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
I have to buy a new shift for my car.Tengo que comprar una palanca de cambios nueva para mi coche.
b. la palanca de velocidades (F) (Mexico)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Regionalism used in Mexico
The shift is stuck!¡Se atoró la palanca de velocidades!
9. (clothing)
a. el vestido suelto (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
It's easy to sew a shift.Es fácil coser un vestido suelto.
10. (computing)
a. la tecla shift (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
I can't find shift on your computer. Where is it?No encuentro la tecla shift en tu computadora. ¿Dónde está?
11. (geology)
a. el desplazamiento (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The earthquake created a half a meter shift.El terremoto ocasionó un desplazamiento de medio metro.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
12. (to move)
a. cambiar de marcha
It's easy to learn to shift; you just have to keep practicing.Es fácil aprender a cambiar de marcha; solo tienes que seguir practicando.
b. cambiar de velocidad (Mexico)
Regionalism used in Mexico
Shoot! I hate shifting on hills.¡Chin! Odio cambiar de velocidad en las colinas.
14. (colloquial) (to go fast) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
a. correr
I want a Shelby Cooper; those cars can really shift!Quiero un Shelby Cooper; ¡esos carros realmente corren!
15. (to change)
a. cambiar
Public opinion has shifted since the last election.La opinión pública ha cambiado desde la última elección.
