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"Escribir" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to write", and "hablar" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to speak". Learn more about the difference between "escribir" and "hablar" below.
escribir(
ehs
-
kree
-
beer
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to write
El alumno escribió su ensayo de 20 páginas en una noche.The student wrote his 20-page essay in one night.
Escribe lo que digo.Write what I say.
3. (to spell)
a. to write
Los nombres propios se escriben con mayúscula.Proper nouns are written with capital letters.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to write
Es un verdadero escándalo que algunos niños terminen el colegio sin saber leer o escribir.It is truly shocking that some children leave school without being able to read or write.
escribirse
A reciprocal verb is a verb that indicates that two or more subjects perform an action on each other (e.g., Ellos se abrazan.).
a. to write to
Hace años que me escribo con un argentino que conocí cuando viajaba por Sudamérica.I've been writing to an Argentinian for years whom I met when I was traveling around South America.
hablar(
ah
-
blahr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to discuss
Eso tienes que hablarlo directamente con el director.You need to discuss that directly with the principal.
b. to say
¿Verdaderamente no tienes nada de qué hablarme?You really don't have anything to say to me?
8. (to call) (Argentina) (El Salvador) (Mexico)
Regionalism used in Argentina
Regionalism used in El Salvador
Regionalism used in Mexico
a. to phone
Ahora que tienes su número, ¿le vas a hablar?Now that you have her number, are you going to phone her?
hablarse
A reciprocal verb is a verb that indicates that two or more subjects perform an action on each other (e.g., Ellos se abrazan.).
b. to talk to each other
Deberían hablarse con más frecuencia para que no surja este tipo de problema.They should talk to each other more often to avoid this type of issue coming up.
e. to be on speaking terms
Los primos no se hablan después de la pelea sobre la herencia.The cousins aren't on speaking terms after the fight over the inheritance.
