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"Criticar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to criticize", and "a" is a preposition which is often translated as "to". Learn more about the difference between "criticar" and "a" below.
criticar(
kree
-
tee
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kahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to censure)
a. to criticize
El líder de la oposición criticó severamente las medidas gubernamentales.The government measures were severely criticized by the leader of the opposition.
b. to criticise (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
¿Es que siempre tienes que criticar cualquier decisión que tomo?Do you always have to criticise any decision I make?
a. to criticize
Siempre que voy a su casa, están criticando a alguien.Whenever I go to their place, they're criticizing someone.
b. to criticise (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
En cuanto el jefe se dio la vuelta, todos se pusieron a criticarlo.As soon as the boss left the office, everyone started criticising him.
3. (fine arts)
a. to review
Una revista musical me ha pedido que critique el nuevo álbum de U2.I've been asked to review the new U2 album by a musical magazine.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to gossip
La mujeres del pueblo no tienen nada mejor que hacer que criticar.The women in town have nothing better to do than gossip.
a, la a(
ah
)A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Podía respirar a duras penas.He was hardly able to breathe.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¡A fregar los platos!Go do the dishes!
¡A la cama!Off to bed!
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Me encantaría ganar dinero a espuertas.I would love to earn lots of money.
Llovía a cántaros.It was pouring.
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
An abbreviation is the shortened form of a word or group of words (e.g., "UFO" = "unidentified flying object"; "p." = "page").
a. A
El circuito transporta una corriente de 1 A.The circuit carries a current of 1 A.
La intensidad de la corriente eléctrica se mide en A.The intensity of an electric current is measured in A.
