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"Colgar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to hang", and "pender" is an intransitive verb which is also often translated as "to hang". Learn more about the difference between "colgar" and "pender" below.
colgar(
kohl
-
gahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to suspend)
a. to hang
Colgaron la bandera en la ventana con orgullo.They hung the flag in the window with pride.
3. (to abandon)
a. to give up
Colgó sus estudios para hacerse atleta profesional.He gave up his studies to become a professional athlete.
a. to upload
Me hago muchos selfis para colgar en mis redes sociales.I take a lot of selfies to upload on my social networks.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
b. to hang up on
Isabel me colgó cuando le dije que quería divorciarme de ella.Isabel hung up on me when I told her I wanted to divorce her.
colgarse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
a. to hang
El muchacho se colgó de las barras con la ayuda de su madre.The boy hung from the monkey bars with the help of his mother.
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to hang oneself
Decidió que la mejor manera de acabar con su vida era colgarse.He decided that the best way to end his life was to hang himself.
a. to crash
Si el ordenador sigue colgándose, tendré que comprarme otro.If my computer keeps crashing, I'll have to buy a new one.
pender(
pehn
-
dehr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to hang
Las nuevas farolas penden de un cable que atraviesa la calle.The new lights hang from a cable that crosses the street.
a. to hang over
La posibilidad de que le den pena de prisión pende sobre su cabeza.The threat of a prison sentence hangs over his head.
a. to depend on
La diputada es consciente de que su futuro político pende del resultado de la segunda ronda de votación.The deputy realizes that her political future depends on the result of the second round of voting.
4. (legal)
a. to be pending
La solicitud del acusado fue denegada y ahora pende un recurso ante el tribunal de apelación.The defendant's request was denied and an appeal is now pending before the court of appeals.
