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"Equal" is an adjective which is often translated as "igual", and "be" is a copular verb which is often translated as "ser". Learn more about the difference between "equal" and "be" below.
equal(
i
-
kwuhl
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
1. (identical)
a. equilibrado
It was a fairly equal contest, ending in a 1-1 tie.Fue un partido equilibrado que acabó en empate a 1.
3. (adequate)
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
4. (peer)
a. el igual (M), la igual (F)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
I can't think of anyone here who is his equal.No puedo pensar en nadie aquí que sea su igual.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
6. (to match)
be(
bi
)A copular verb links the subject of a clause to the predicate (e.g., My brother is tall).
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
An impersonal verb is a verb with no apparent subject (e.g., Llueve en España.).
An auxiliary verb, or helper verb, is a conjugated verb that comes before a main verb and determines the main verb's tense, mood, or aspect (e.g., I have gone.).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
I'm going to the party. - So am I.Voy a la fiesta. - Yo también.
It is a lovely day, isn't it?Es un día precioso, ¿verdad?
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
I don't know how much salt is to be added to the sauce.No sé cuánta sal hay que añadir a la salsa.
The assignment is to be done by next Thursday.La tarea tiene que estar para el jueves que viene.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
My baby is due in three months.Mi bebé nacerá dentro de tres meses.
Tomorrow, I'm going to the dentist.Mañana voy al dentista.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Had it not been for his family, he would have never become an artist.Si no fuera por su familia, nunca habría sido artista.
If I were you, I would not go.Yo en tu lugar, no iría.