vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Engordar" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to gain weight", and "estar a dieta" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to be on a diet". Learn more about the difference between "engordar" and "estar a dieta" below.
engordar(
ehng
-
gohr
-
dahr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to gain weight
Adrián ha engordado desde su accidente.Adrian has gained weight since his accident.
b. to put on weight
Ana engordó durante el embarazo y no ha podido bajar de peso.Ana put on weight during her pregnancy and hasn't been able to lose it.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to fatten up
Inyectan al ganado con esteroides para engordarlos.They inject the cattle with steroids to fatten them up.
b. to fatten
Hay que engordar las vacas en el otoño para prepararlas para el frío del invierno.We need to fatten the cows in the fall to prepare them for the winter cold.
a. to swell
Reportaron los metros cuadrados en lugar de los kilómetros lineales para engordar los números.They reported the square meters rather than linear kilometers in order to swell the numbers.
estar a dieta(
ehs
-
tahr
ah
dyeh
-
tah
)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.).
1. (general)
a. to be on a diet
Yo hoy paso del postre. Estoy a dieta para ver si pierdo los kilos que gané en Navidad.I'll give the dessert a miss today. I'm on a diet to see if I lose the kilos I gained at Christmas.
