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"Darse cuenta de" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to realize", and "darse cuenta" is an intransitive verb phrase which is also often translated as "to realize". Learn more about the difference between "darse cuenta de" and "darse cuenta" below.
darse cuenta de()
A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
1. (general)
a. to realize
¿No te das cuenta de que estás malcriando a tus hijos?Don't you realize you're spoiling your children?
b. to realise (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Cuando se sentó al volante, Rosario se dio cuenta de que había perdido sus lentes.When she sat behind the wheel Rosario realised she had lost her glasses.
c. to notice
En ese momento me di cuenta de que el hombre llevaba una pistola en el bolsillo.At that moment I noticed the man had a gun in his pocket.
darse cuenta()
An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
a. to realize
Acabo de darme cuenta de que dejé el celular en casa.I just realized I left my cell phone at home.
b. to realise (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Al llegar al aeropuerto, Sonia se dio cuenta de que había dejado su pasaporte en casa.When she got to the airport, Sonia realised she'd left her passport at home.
c. to notice
Está cayendo agua del inodoro. - ¡Ups! No me había dado cuenta.The toilet is leaking. - Oops! I hadn't noticed.
2. (colloquial) (to understand; often used with "de")
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. to tell
No me doy cuenta de cuál es la diferencia entre estos dos productos.I can't tell what the difference between these two products is.
b. to figure out
Me llevó un tiempo darme cuenta de qué le pasaba al motor del carro.It took me a while to figure out what was wrong with the car engine.
