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"Correr" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to run", and "abrir" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to open". Learn more about the difference between "correr" and "abrir" below.
correr(
koh
-
rrehr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to run
Corro 12 kilómetros cada día.I run 12 kilometers every day.
Este año voy a correr la maratón.I'm running the marathon this year.
a. to move
Tuve que correr la mesa para tener más espacio.I had to move the table to have more space.
3. (to risk)
a. to run
No corras riesgos innecesarios; ponte en manos de un profesional.Don't run unnecessary risks. Put yourself in the hands of a professional.
4. (to get rid of) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
5. (to hasten)
a. to hurry
Corre, baja el fuego. Se va a quemar el estofado.Hurry, turn the heat down. The stew is going to burn.
b. to hurry up
Tendremos que correr si no queremos llegar tarde al cine.We'll have to hurry up if we don't want to be late for the movie.
c. to run around
Me pasé el día corriendo detrás de los niños.I spent the whole day running around after the kids.
7. (to spread)
correrse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to move
Durante el terremoto, se corrió la mesa y golpeó contra la pared con fuerza.During the earthquake, the table moved and hit the wall hard.
b. to shift
Una ola enorme hizo balancearse al barco, y la carga se corrió primero hacia un lado y luego hacia el otro.A huge wave made the ship roll, and its load shifted first to one side and then to the other.
d. to move up
Si nos corremos, podrán sentarse esas señoras que están allí de pie.If we move up, those ladies standing over there will be able to sit down.
e. to shift over
Córrete un poco hacia allá, por favor. Apenas tengo espacio.Shift over that way a bit, please. I barely have any room.
f. to shift up
Dile a Esteban que se corra para que pueda sentarse Inés.Tell Esteban to shift up so that Ines can sit down.
g. to pull over (car)
El carro se corrió hacia un lado para dejar pasar al camión.The car pulled over to one side to let the truck through.
10. (to smudge)
a. to get a run (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
No hay nada que me fastidie más que se me corran las medias.There's nothing more annoying than getting a run in my stockings.
b. to get a ladder (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
¿Te diste cuenta de que se te corrieron las medias?Did you know you have a ladder in your tights?
12. (colloquial) (to have an orgasm) (Spain)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Spain
a. to come (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Algunas personas tardan más que otras en correrse.Some people take longer than others to come.
13. (colloquial) (to leave furtively) (Bolivia) (Chile) (Nicaragua) (Peru)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Bolivia
Regionalism used in Chile
Regionalism used in Nicaragua
Regionalism used in Peru
a. to slip away
Intentó correrse sin ordenar su cuarto, pero su madre lo vio.He tried to slip away without tidying up his room, but his mother saw him.
abrir(
ah
-
breer
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to open
Llamé a la puerta pero nadie vino a abrirla.I knocked at the door, but nobody came to open it.
2. (to unwrap)
3. (to uncover)
a. to open
Ten cuidado al abrir la botella que se había sacudido.Be careful opening the bottle; it has been shaken up.
4. (to extend)
a. to open
Agarra el pájaro de manera que no pueda abrir sus alas.Hold the bird so that it can't open its wings.
a. to open
Abre las cortinas y deja que entre la luz del sol.Open the curtains and let the sunshine in.
6. (to access)
a. to open
Abre el diccionario y busca tu palabra favorita.Open the dictionary and look up your favorite word.
7. (to unblock)
a. to clear
Abrieron camino en la nieve desde la entrada de su cabaña.They cleared a path through the snow from the door of their cabin.
8. (to lead)
a. to open
El presidente abrió el debate con un breve discurso.The president opened the debate with a brief speech.
a. to whet
Los olores de la cocina le abrieron el apetito.The smell from the kitchen whetted his appetite.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
10. (to set up)
a. to open
El museo abre a las 11 de la mañana los domingos.The museum opens at 11 in the morning on Sundays.
abrirse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to open up
¿Por qué es tan difícil conseguir que se abra?Why is it so hard to get him to open up?
13. (to break open)
14. (slang) (to leave)
A very informal word or phrase used by a particular group or community as a substitute for standard language (e.g., joint, john).
a. to be off (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Es medianoche ya. - Lo sé. Me abro después de terminar esta cerveza.It's midnight already. - I know. I'm off after this beer.
b. to get out
Bueno, ya me harté de usted. ¡Ábrase de aquí!OK, I've had enough of you. Get out of here!
15. (to abandon) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. to be out (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
No me interesa seguir; me abro.I'm not interested in carrying on; I'm out.
