vs 

QUICK ANSWER
"En" is a form of "en", a preposition which is often translated as "in". "Tardar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to take". Learn more about the difference between "en" and "tardar" below.
en(
ehn
)
A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
preposition
a. in
Hay comida ya preparada en el supermercado.There's ready-made food in the supermarket.
b. on
Puedes poner los cubiertos en la mesa.You can put the silverware on the table.
c. at
Los niños están en la escuela.The kids are at school.
a. in
En 1969 aterrizamos en la luna.In 1969, we landed on the moon.
a. in
Si un oso te persigue, corre en zigzag.If a bear is chasing you, run in a zig-zag formation.
a. by
No vinimos en avión; vinimos en tren.We didn't come by plane. We came by train.
a. about
¿En qué piensas?What are you thinking about?
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.
tardar(
tahr
-
dahr
)
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. to take
No puedo creer que tardaste dos horas en llegar.I can't believe it took you two hours to get here.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. to take too long
Si tardas, vamos a perder el tren.If you take too long, we'll miss the train.
a. to be long
¿Puedo ir a la tienda, mamá? - Sí, pero no tardes.Can I go to the store, Mom? - Yes, but don't be long.
tardarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
pronominal verb
4. (to take too much time)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
(Latin America)
a. to be long
No me tardo; solo voy a comprar leche.I won't be long; I'm just going to buy milk.
b. to take a long time
¡Cómo te tardas! ¡Apúrate ya!You're taking such a long time! Hurry up already!
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.