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"Dedicate" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "dedicar", and "spend" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "gastar". Learn more about the difference between "dedicate" and "spend" below.
dedicate(
deh
-
dih
-
keyt
)
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. dedicar
My neighbors decided to dedicate their time to cleaning up the neighborhood.Mis vecinos decidieron dedicar su tiempo a limpiar el barrio.
b. consagrar
The nuns dedicated their lives to doing good for the community.Las monjas consagraron sus vidas a hacer el bien para la comunidad.
a. dedicar
My brother dedicated his book to our mother when he finally got it published.Cuando el libro de mi hermano finalmente fue publicado, se lo dedicó a nuestra madre.
3. (to declare officially open)
Regionalism used in the United States
(United States)
a. inaugurar
Thousands of people came to see the governor dedicate the government building.Miles de personas vinieron a ver al gobernador inaugurar el edificio gubernamental.
a. dedicar
The people in the farming community built a shrine and dedicated it to the goddess of agriculture.Los integrantes de la comunidad agrícola construyeron un santuario y lo dedicaron a la diosa de la agricultura.
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spend(
spehnd
)
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. gastar
George spent $150 on books.George gastó $150 en libros.
b. gastarse
That actor spends a lot on clothes.Ese actor se gasta mucho en la ropa.
a. dedicar
Marianne spends a lot of time studying.Marianne dedica mucho tiempo al estudio.
b. emplear
We need to spend our resources wisely.Necesitamos emplear nuestros recursos sabiamente.
a. agotar
The storm spent most of its fury on the west side of the mountain range.La tormenta agotó la mayoría de su furia en el lado oeste de la cordillera.
a. pasar
Do you want to spend the weekend with us?¿Quieres pasar el fin de semana con nosotros?
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. gastar
How much do you plan on spending at the craft sale?¿Cuánto te piensas gastar en el bazar de artesanías?
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