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"Dan" is a form of "dar", a transitive verb which is often translated as "to give". "Me da" is a form of "me da", a phrase which is often translated as "I get". Learn more about the difference between "dan" and "me da" below.
dar(
dahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¿Me das una libra de queso y dos libras de jamón?Can I have one pound of cheese and two pounds of ham?
¿Cuántos tomates quiere? - Deme dos kilos, por favor.How many tomatoes do you want? - I'll take two kilos, please.
a. to give
Necesito que me des una idea para el tema de la fiesta.I need you to give me a good idea for the party's theme.
c. to produce
Este manzano da más manzanas de las que podríamos comer.This apple tree produces more apples than we can possibly eat.
a. to hold
Esta es la lista de los eventos que se dieron este mes.This is the list of events held this month.
b. to have
Mi compañía da una fiesta de Navidad todos los años.My company has a Christmas party every year.
c. to throw
Le dieron una fiesta sorpresa para celebrar su graduación.They threw him a surprise party to celebrate his graduation.
4. (to educate)
a. to teach
No dan mi asignatura favorita en la escuela.My favorite subject is not taught in school.
5. (to apply)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Le voy a dar otra capa de barniz a esta mesa.I'm going to give this table another coat of varnish.
Esta pared necesita que le des otra pasada de pintura.This wall needs another coat of paint.
6. (to grant)
a. to award
Me dieron una beca para ir a la universidad.I was awarded a scholarship to go to university.
7. (to lend)
a. to give (a pleasant taste)
La hoja de laurel le da un sabor único a la sopa.Bay leaf gives a unique taste to the soup.
8. (to express)
a. to say (thanks or greetings)
Sra. García, le quiero dar las gracias por una cena magnífica.Mrs. García, I just want to say thank you for a wonderful dinner.
b. to give
El Día de Acción de Gracias es un día para dar las gracias por todo lo que tenemos.Thanksgiving Day is a day to give thanks for all that we have.
10. (card games)
a. to show
El cine independiente está dando un maratón de películas clásicas.The independent movie theater is showing a classic film marathon.
12. (to sound)
13. (to make feel)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
No puedo tomar café caliente en este clima; me da demasiado calor.I can't drink hot coffee in this weather; it makes me too hot.
Me da miedo quedarme sola en la casa.I get scared staying at home alone.
a. to consider
Necesito que termines el proyecto. - Dalo por hecho.I need you to finish the project. - Consider it done.
15. (colloquial) (to spoil) (Spain)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Spain
a. to ruin
Me dio la película al decirme el final.He ruined the movie for me when he spoiled the ending.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
17. (to matter)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¿Quieres ir a la playa o a la piscina? - Me da lo mismo.Do you want to go to the beach or to the pool? - It's all the same to me.
Me da igual si comemos pasta o pescado esta noche.It doesn't matter to me whether we have pasta or fish tonight.
19. (to activate)
20. (to strike)
21. (to discover)
a. to find
Después de años de investigación, por fin dio con la solución.After years of research, she finally found the solution.
b. to hit upon
Hasta el día de hoy, nadie ha dado con la respuesta al acertijo.So far, no one has hit upon the answer to the riddle.
c. to come up with
El equipo aún no ha dado con una solución al problema.The team still hasn't come up with a solution to the problem.
22. (to be inclined)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Desde que supo que consiguió el trabajo, le ha dado con ir de compras todo el tiempo.Ever since he found out that he got the job, he's taken to nonstop shopping.
Me ha dado con tomarme una copa de vino con la cena.I've started having a glass of wine with my dinner.
a. to be enough
No sé si esta pizza dará para todos.I'm not sure if this pizza will be enough for everyone.
24. (to motivate)
a. to give
Los sucesos de hoy me dieron qué pensar.Today's events have given me something to think about.
25. (to shine)
a. to hit
De este ángulo el sol me da en los ojos y no puedo ver.From this angle, the sun hits my eyes and I can't see.
26. (card games)
a. to deal
Ya el repartido dio, así que te toca jugar.The dealer already dealt so it's your turn to play.
darse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
27. (to thrive)
a. to grow
Esta variedad de lechuga se da en cualquier sitio.This lettuce variety can grow anywhere.
a. to hit
Me di en el codo con la mesa y ahora está dormido.I hit my elbow on the table and now it's numb.
b. to crash
Por estar texteando mientras conducía, se dio con la pared del túnel.He crashed into the tunnel wall because he was texting while driving.
c. to bump
Prende la luz, que no me quiero dar con la esquina de la cama.Turn on the light; I don't want to bump into the corner of the bed.
29. (to occur)
b. to present itself
Una oportunidad así no se da muy a menudo.Such an opportunity does not present itself very often.
a. to take to
Estoy preocupado porque Javier se ha dado a fumar demasiado.I'm worried because Javier has taken to smoking too much.
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
me da
A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. I get
Necesito una cobija más gruesa. Ahora que comenzó el invierno, me da frío por las noches.I need a thicker blanket. Now that it's winter, I get cold at night.
a. he gives me (masculine)
A word or phrase that is masculine (e.g., el libro).
Mi vecino viaja mucho y, cuando está fuera, me da dinero para cuidar a su gato.My neighbor travels a lot, and whenever he's away, he gives me money to take care of his cat.
b. she gives me (feminine)
A word or phrase that is feminine (e.g., la manzana).
Me cae bien la bibliotecaria porque me da un libro nuevo para leer cada vez que voy a la biblioteca.I like the librarian because she gives me a new book to read every time I go to the library.
c. it gives me
¿Por qué eres voluntario en el refugio de animales? - Me encantan los animales y me da una forma de ser productivo.Why are you volunteering at the animal shelter? - I love animals and it gives me a way to be productive.
d. gives me
Mi jefe a veces me da demasiado trabajo y termino en el trabajo hasta tarde.My boss sometimes gives me too much work and I end up at the office until late.
3. (formal) (second person singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
a. you give me
Si me da el número de teléfono del restaurante, llamo para hacer una reservación.If you give me the restaurant's phone number, I'll call to make a reservation.
