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"Cohibir" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to inhibit", and "inhibir" is a transitive verb which is also often translated as "to inhibit". Learn more about the difference between "cohibir" and "inhibir" below.
cohibir(
koy
-
beer
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to inhibit
Andrea es tan extrovertida y segura que nada la cohíbe.Andrea is so outgoing and confident that nothing inhibits her.
La presencia de los padres de Javier en el público lo cohibió.The presence of Javier's parents in the audience inhibited him.
b. to embarrass
¿Por qué te cohibe hablar frente a la clase?Why does speaking in front of the class embarrass you?
e. to make shy
Gabriel no entiende por qué su maestro aún lo cohibe.Gabriel doesn't get why his teacher still makes him shy.
cohibirse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to become inhibited
Samuel se cohibió cuando se acercó al atril para dar su declaración.Samuel became inhibited when he approached the podium to give his speech.
b. to feel ill-at-ease
Valeria se cohibió cuando le hicieron esa pregunta tan incómoda.Valeria felt ill-at-ease when she was asked such an awkward question.
c. to become shy
Laura se cohibió cuando llegaron tantos desconocidos a su casa.Laura became shy when so many strangers arrived at her house.
inhibir(
een
-
ee
-
beer
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to hinder)
a. to inhibit
El bebé no tuvo ningún estímulo y eso inhibió su aprendizaje.The baby was never stimulated and that inhibited his learning.
2. (medicine)
a. to inhibit
No hay que conducir bajo los efectos de las drogas porque inhiben tus reflejos.You shouldn't drive under the influence of drugs because they inhibit your reflexes.
3. (legal)
a. to disqualify
Esto no inhibe al juez de dictar sentencia.This does not disqualify the judge from passing sentence
inhibirse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
4. (medicine)
a. to be inhibited
La producción de melanina se inhibió en ciertas partes y dieron lugar a manchas blancas de la piel.The production of melanin was inhibited in some areas, which resulted in white spots on the skin.
a. to refrain from
Luis decidió inhibirse de contestar a preguntas indiscretas.Luis decided to refrain from answering indiscreet questions.
a. to become inhibited
Los alumnos se inhiben con el profesor de matemáticas porque es muy serio.The students become inhibited with the math teacher because he is so serious.
7. (legal)
a. to disqualify oneself
La jueza Álvarez se inhibió del caso.Judge Alvarez disqualified herself from the case.
