vs 

QUICK ANSWER
"Cocinar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to cook", and "hervir" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to boil". Learn more about the difference between "cocinar" and "hervir" below.
cocinar(
koh
-
see
-
nahr
)
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. to cook
Te voy a cocinar una cena muy rica esta noche.I'm going to cook you a delicious dinner tonight.
2.
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
(to prepare in secret)
a. to plot
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
Creo que la familia está cocinando una intervención.I think the family is plotting an intervention.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. to cook
¿Sabes cocinar?Can you cook?
cocinarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
pronominal verb
a. to cook
Este tipo de arroz se cocina en menos de 20 minutos.This kind of rice cooks in under 20 minutes.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.
hervir(
ehr
-
beer
)
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. to boil
El agua hierve a 100 grados Celsius.Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
a. to boil
Cuando entro a mi carro en el verano, está hirviendo.When I get into my car in the summer, it's boiling.
a. to swarm with
La playa hierve de gente en verano.The beach is swarming with people in summer.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. to boil
Se me olvidó hervir los huevos para el aperitivo.I forgot to boil the eggs for the appetizer.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.