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"Embestir" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to charge", and "abalanzarse" is a pronominal verb which is often translated as "to rush". Learn more about the difference between "embestir" and "abalanzarse" below.
embestir(
ehm
-
behs
-
teer
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to charge
El toro embistió al torero y lo dejó inconsciente.The bull charged the bullfighter and left him unconscious.
b. to run into
Hubo un muerto y dos heridos graves al embestir un camión a una furgoneta en la avenida 6 de Agosto.One person died and two were seriously injured when a truck ran into a van on avenida 6 de Agosto.
c. to attack
El general dio la orden de embestir las posiciones enemigas.The general gave the order to attack the enemy positions.
e. to rush at
Dos hombres me embistieron, blandiendo cuchillos.Two men rushed at me, brandishing knives.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
abalanzarse(
ah
-
bah
-
lahn
-
sahr
-
seh
)A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to rush
Los caballeros se abalanzaron sobre la infantería enemiga.The knights rushed toward the enemy infantry.
b. to surge
Los niños se abalanzaron con entusiasmo hacia el camión de helados.The children excitedly surged towards the ice-cream truck.
c. to spring
El paracaidista de salto base se abalanzó al vacío desde lo alto del edificio.The base jumper sprang into the void from the top of the building.
a. to leap on
Tres jugadores se abalanzaron sobre el balón con la esperanza de mantenerlo en juego.Three players leapt on the ball in hopes of keeping it in play.
abalanzar
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.).
3. (to propel)
a. to throw
Franco abalanzó su cuerpo afuera de la lancha antes de que estrellara contra el buque.Franco threw himself off the motorboat before it crashed against the ship.
b. to hurl
La atleta checa abalanzó la jabalina a una distancia de más de 80 metros para ganar la medalla de oro en los Juegos Olímpicos de este año.The Czech athlete hurled the javelin a distance of more than 80 meters to win the gold medal at this year's Olympics.
