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"Crujir" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to creak", and "rechinar" is an intransitive verb which is also often translated as "to creak". Learn more about the difference between "crujir" and "rechinar" below.
crujir(
kroo
-
heer
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to creak (stairs or wood)
Sentí que venías porque la escalera crujía.I heard you coming because the stairs were creaking.
b. to rustle (leaves, paper, cloth)
Hay alguien en el patio. Puedo oír cómo crujen las hojas caídas.There's somebody in the backyard. I can hear the fallen leaves rustling.
c. to crackle (firewood)
Nos sentamos junto a la fogata y escuchamos crujir la leña.We sat by the bonfire and we listened to the firewood crackling.
d. to crunch (food, gravel, snow)
La nieve crujía con cada paso que daba hacia la casa.The snow crunched with every step I took toward the house.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to crack (articulation or bone)
¿Te puede agarrar artritis si te crujes los nudillos con frecuencia?Can you get arthritis if you crack your knuckles often?
crujirse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
a. to crack (articulation or bone)
No te crujas los dedos así; te ves muy amenazante.Don't crack your knuckles like that; you look really threatening.
rechinar(
rreh
-
chee
-
nahr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
1. (to squeak)
b. to screech (brakes or tires)
Pisé el freno y las ruedas rechinaron.I slammed my foot on the brake and the tires screeched.
d. to grate
Los dientes del perro rechinaban contra el hueso.The dog's teeth grated against the bone.
a. to grumble
Miguel rechinó porque le tocó limpiar la cocina.Miguel grumbled because he had to clean the kitchen.
4. (to get angry) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
5. (to char) (Central America) (Mexico)
Regionalism used in Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
Regionalism used in Mexico
rechinarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
6. (to get charred) (Central America) (Mexico)
Regionalism used in Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
Regionalism used in Mexico
a. to burn
La salsa se rechinó porque me distraje y no le presté atención.The sauce burned because I got distracted and didn't pay attention to it.
b. to overcook
La tortilla de papas se rechinó un poquito, pero, aun así, sabe bien.The Spanish tortilla overcooked a bit, but it still tastes good.
a. to lose one's temper
Normalmente, soy muy paciente, pero hoy lograste hacer que me rechine.Normally I'm very patient, but today you made me lose my temper.
