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"Congelaba" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to freeze", and "helaba" is a transitive verb which is also often translated as "to freeze". Learn more about the difference between "congelaba" and "helaba" below.
congelar(
kohng
-
heh
-
lahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
2. (medicine)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Se volvieron al campamento base para evitar que la bajada extrema de la temperatura les congelara las extremidades.They returned to base camp to avoid their extremities being affected by frostbite because of the sharp drop in temperature.
El frío intenso en la cumbre le congeló dos dedos de la mano derecha.Two fingers on her right hand were frostbitten by the intense cold on the summit.
a. to freeze (prices or salaries)
El gobierno ha congelado el sueldo de los funcionarios hasta el año próximo.The government has frozen its employees' salaries until next year.
a. to freeze (credit or a project)
La junta decidió congelar el proyecto hasta nuevo aviso.The board decided to freeze the project until further notice.
b. to suspend (aid or a project)
Se congelaron todas las ayudas económicas al país bajo sospechas de mala gestión.All economic aid to the country was suspended under suspicion of mismanagement.
5. (to pause)
a. to freeze (an image)
Congela la imagen. Ese es el sospechoso ingresando a la tienda.Freeze the image. That's the suspect walking into the store.
congelarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to freeze
Patinamos en el lago cuando se congela en invierno.We skate on the lake when it freezes in winter.
7. (medicine)
a. to get frostbite
En su escalada al Himalaya, se le congeló una oreja.She got frostbite on one of her ears on her ascent up the Himalayas.
a. to freeze
¡Me estoy congelando! ¿Puedes cerrar la ventana?I'm freezing! Can you shut the window, please?
helar(
eh
-
lahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to freeze
El viento helado heló las flores.The frigid wind froze the flowers.
Las temperaturas bajas amenazan con helar los cultivos.The low temperatures threaten to freeze the crops.
2. (to shock)
An impersonal verb is a verb with no apparent subject (e.g., Llueve en España.).
a. to freeze
Anoche heló pero afortunadamente estábamos en nuestra casa.It froze last night but fortunately we were home.
helarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
b. to freeze over (body of water)
Cuando el lago se hiela, lo usan como pista de patinaje.When the lake freezes over, it is used as a skating rink.
c. to ice over (body of water)
El estanque se hiela todos los inviernos.The pond ices over every winter.
a. to freeze
Todos se estaban helando antes de prender la chimenea.Everyone was freezing before lighting the fire.
6. (to dry out)
