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"Cursar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to study", and "acreditar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to confirm". Learn more about the difference between "cursar" and "acreditar" below.
cursar(
koor
-
sahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (education)
a. to study
Este semestre voy a cursar cuatro asignaturas.I'll be studying four subjects this semester.
b. to take
Cursé Metodología de la Investigación en el primer semestre de la carrera.I took Research Methodology during the first semester of my degree.
d. to read (subject at university) (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
¿Qué asignatura cursas?What subject are you reading?
e. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Ángeles cursaba primero en la universidad cuando conoció a Antonio.Angeles was in her first year of college when she met Antonio.
Nuestro hijo solo cursa segundo de primaria.Our son is only in second grade.
a. to send off
Ya cursé todos los documentos solicitados por el registro civil.I've already sent off all the documents requested by the civil registry.
3. (to provide)
a. to issue
La oficina está cursando la autorización para inaugurar el establecimiento.The office is in the process of issuing the authorization to open the store.
4. (to handle)
a. to deal with
Ya estás en comunicación con el departamento que cursa los documentos relativos a la importación de vinos, ¿verdad?You're already in touch with the department that deals with documents relating to the import of wines, aren't you?
b. to process
Todavía se cursan los documentos; los tendrá usted la semana que viene.The documents are still being processed; you'll have them next week.
acreditar(
ah
-
kreh
-
dee
-
tahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to certify)
a. to confirm
El abogado presentó un documento que acreditaba la inocencia de su cliente.The lawyer presented a document which confirmed his client's innocence.
b. to prove
La única forma de acreditar tu nivel de inglés es presentando un certificado oficial.The only way of proving your level of English is to show an official certificate.
a. to give credit to
La novela acreditó a su autor como un gran escritor.The novel gave the author credit as a great writer.
b. to do credit to
La compasión de Sylvia la acredita como enfermera.Sylvia's compassion does her credit as a nurse.
a. to accredit
El primer ministro aún no ha acreditado a ningún embajador en el país.The prime minister still has not accredited any ambassador to the country.
acreditarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to gain a good reputation as
Cuando escribió su segundo libro, mi hermana se acreditó como una gran poetisa.My sister gained a good reputation as a great poet when she wrote her second book.
b. to prove one's worth as
Tras años intentando acreditarse como atleta, por fin lo ha conseguido en estas Olimpiadas.After years of trying to prove his worth as an athlete, he's finally done it at these Olympics.
6. (to reach)
a. to achieve
La oposición se acreditó una victoria resonante en las elecciones.The opposition achieved a resounding victory at the polls.
