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"Comprar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to buy", and "regatear" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to haggle". Learn more about the difference between "comprar" and "regatear" below.
comprar(
kohm
-
prahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to acquire)
a. to buy
¡Hay que comprar una piñata que hoy comienzan las posadas!We need to buy a piñata because the Posadas start today!
2. (to bribe)
a. to buy off
Los políticos malvados intentaron comprar mi silencio.The evil politicians tried to buy me off.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
regatear(
rreh
-
gah
-
teh
-
ahr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
1. (to barter)
a. to haggle
Tienes que regatear para conseguir un buen precio.You need to haggle to get a good price.
b. to bargain
Tuve que regatear un rato largo con el vendedor hasta que nos pusimos de acuerdo.I had to bargain for a while with the salesman until we finally agreed.
2. (nautical)
a. to race
Decenas de veleros regatearon desde el puerto de Mar del Plata ayer a la mañana.Dozens of sailboats raced from Mar del Plata harbor yesterday morning.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to spare
Los concursantes no regatearon esfuerzos en la lucha por el gran premio.The contestants spared no effort in fighting for the grand prize.
4. (to elude)
a. to dodge
El conductor pudo regatear el otro vehículo al último segundo.The driver was able to dodge the other vehicle at the last second.
a. to deny
No regateo que ella tiene una inteligencia superior.I won't deny that she has superior intelligence.
6. (to barter)
a. to haggle over
Si no regateas la mercancía, pagarás demasiado.If you don't haggle over the merchandise, you will overpay.
b. to bargain over
Regateé el precio del coche hasta que conseguí lo que quería.I bargained over the price of the car until I got what I wanted.
7. (sport)
a. to dribble past
El delantero argentino regateó al defensa y marcó el segundo gol de su equipo.The Argentine forward dribbled past the defender and scored the second goal for his team.
