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"Concretar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to set", and "formalizar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to formalize". Learn more about the difference between "concretar" and "formalizar" below.
concretar(
kohng
-
kreh
-
tahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to set
Concretamos un precio de 20 pesos por botella de litro.We set a price of 20 pesos per liter bottle.
b. to fix
Mi secretaria te llamará para concretar la fecha de la cirugía.My secretary will contact you to fix the date of the surgery.
c. to specify
El embajador concretó el objetivo de la misión diplomática.The ambassador specified the objective of the diplomatic mission.
d. to settle on
Los candidatos concretaron la fecha y la hora del debate presidencial.The candidates settled on the date and time of the presidential debate.
2. (to rehash)
a. to sum up
Intenta concretar tu idea en un párrafo corto.Try to sum up your idea in one brief paragraph.
b. to summarize (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Concreta el capítulo y precisa cuáles son los aspectos más importantes.Summarize the chapter and pinpoint the main aspects.
c. to summarise (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
¿Puedes concretar la trama de la película en unas pocas palabras?Can you summarise the plot of the movie in a few words?
3. (to fulfill)
a. to realize
La joven actriz nunca pudo concretar su sueño de convertirse en una celebridad.The young actress never could realize her dream of becoming famous.
b. to materialize
Le dije a Juan que estaba interesado en comprar su auto, pero nunca concretó una oferta.I told Juan that I'm interested in buying his car, but his offer never materialized.
a. to concrete
Vamos a concretar el jardín para construir una cancha de tenis.We will concrete the garden to build a tennis court.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to get to the point
¿Puedes concretar? No tenemos tiempo para escuchar tus divagaciones.Can you get to the point? We don't have time to hear you ramble.
concretarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to limit oneself to
Cuando contestes una pregunta, concrétate al tema del debate.When you answer, limit yourself to the topic of the debate.
b. to confine oneself to
Concrétate a hacer tu trabajo y no critiques a tus colegas.Confine yourself to doing your work and don't criticize your colleagues.
a. to materialize
Las donaciones nunca se concretaron debido a obstáculos burocráticos.The donations never materialized due to bureaucratic obstacles.
b. to come true
Tras la revolución, se concretó nuestro sueño de un país libre y soberano.Our dream of a free and sovereign country came true after the revolution.
c. to be fulfilled
La esperanza del rey de tener un heredero se concretó cuando nació el príncipe Carlos.The king's hope of an heir was fulfilled when prince Carlos was born.
formalizar(
fohr
-
mah
-
lee
-
sahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to formalize
La pareja formalizó su relación en la iglesia.The couple formalized their relationship in church.
b. to formalise (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Si la empresa no formaliza mi contrato, no tendré derecho a cobrar el paro.If the company doesn't formalise my contract, I won't be entitled to unemployment benefit.
c. to regularize
Hay que formalizar la situación de los europeos que viven o trabajan en este país.We need to regularize the situation of those European citizens who are living or working in this country.
d. to regularise (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Tengo que formalizar mi condición de inmigrante.I need to regularise my immigration status.
e. to put in order
¿Cómo puedo formalizar mi situación laboral?How can I put my work situation in order?
a. to formalize
El equipo se reunirá mañana para formalizar la idea que tuvieron.The team will meet tomorrow to formalize their idea.
b. to formalise (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Hay que formalizar el método.We need to formalise the approach.
c. to draw up
Primero, tenemos que formalizar un plan de negocio.First, we need to draw up a business plan.
a. to make official
La pareja ya formalizó su relación y se van a casar dentro de tres meses.The couple have already made their relationship official and are going to get married in three months' time.
formalizarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to settle down
Óscar se formalizó al cumplir los 24. Antes era un inmaduro.Oscar settled down when he turned 24. Before that he was very immature.
