vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Desconociendo" is a form of "desconocer", a transitive verb which is often translated as "to not know". "Orientar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to position". Learn more about the difference between "desconociendo" and "orientar" below.
desconocer(
dehs
-
koh
-
noh
-
sehr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to not know
Para los que desconocen a estos pintores, la exposición ofrece una oportunidad única.For those who don't know these painters, the exhibition offers a unique opportunity.
a. to not recognize
Desconocí a tu mamá el día que me la encontré en el súper.I didn't recognize your mom the day I saw her in the supermarket.
a. to disown
El miedo empujó al testigo a desconocer la declaración que había hecho en el juicio.Fear pushed the witness into disowning his statement in the trial.
a. to ignore
Los motivos que lo orillaron al crimen no deben desconocerse.The reasons that led him to commit the crime should not be ignored.
orientar(
oh
-
ryehn
-
tahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to aim)
a. to position
Orienta la luz del reflector al portón de entrada.Position the spotlight towards the entrance gate.
b. to point
Elena orientó la cámara hacia los espectadores.Elena pointed the camera towards the audience.
c. to orient (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Orientaron la antena al norte para tener mejor señal.The antenna was oriented north to get a better signal.
d. to orientate (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
El piloto orientó la nave hacia el sur.The pilot orientated the plane towards the south.
e. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
El balcón está orientado hacia el sur y le da el sol toda la tarde.The balcony is south-facing and gets the sun all afternoon.
¿En qué dirección está orientado el apartamento?Which way does the apartment face?
2. (to help)
a. to guide
El ayudante de cátedra me orientó en mi investigación.The adjunct professor guided me in my research.
b. to give guidance
Recurrió a un yogui para que la orientara en su transformación espiritual.She turned to a yogi to give her guidance in her spiritual transformation.
c. to orient (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Había carteles por los pasillos para ayudar a orientar a los nuevos estudiantes.There were posters along the halls to help orient the new students.
d. to orientate (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
El índice está para orientar al lector.The index helps to orientate the reader.
3. (to focus)
a. to direct
Orientaremos todo nuestro esfuerzo a crear un futuro mejor.We will direct all our efforts toward creating a better future.
4. (nautical)
orientarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to get one's bearings
Se cortó la luz, pero el portero pudo orientarse y salió del edificio.The power went out, but the super managed to get his bearings and leave the building.
b. to find one's way around
El niño que se extravió en el bosque finalmente se orientó y regresó a su casa.The child who got lost in the woods finally found his way around and walked home.
c. to orient oneself (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
El líder de la caravana se orientaba observando las estrellas.The caravan leader oriented himself by observing the stars.
d. to orientate oneself (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
No me pude orientar ni con un mapa ni con una brújula.Even with a map and a compass, I couldn't orientate myself.
b. to turn toward (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Los girasoles se orientaron hacia el sol.The sunflowers turned toward the sun.
c. to turn towards (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
La planta se orientó hacia el sol y ahora nace retorcida.The plant turned towards the sun and now it's growing twisted.
a. to go in for
Yo estudié economía, pero mi hermano se orientó por la política.I studied economy, but my brother went in for politics.
b. to tend toward (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Sus artículos se orientan hacia ideas izquierdistas.His articles tend toward leftist views.
c. to tend towards (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
El nuevo partido se orienta más a la derecha que a la izquierda.The new party tends more towards the right than the left.
