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"Esculpir" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to sculpt", and "grabar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to record". Learn more about the difference between "esculpir" and "grabar" below.
esculpir(
ehs
-
kool
-
peer
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to fashion)
a. to sculpt (by chiseling, cutting or molding)
Miguel Ángel esculpió esta famosa estatua de David.Michelangelo sculpted this famous statue of David.
b. to carve (by cutting)
Juan esculpió su primera figura de madera cuando tenía siete años.Juan carved his first wooden figure when he was seven.
2. (to engrave)
a. to carve (by cutting)
Alguien había esculpido animales en la roca.Someone had carved animals carved into the rock.
b. to chisel (using a chisel)
Este tipo de piedra es fácil de esculpir.This kind of stone is easy to chisel.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
grabar(
grah
-
bahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to record
La cantante grabó su primer álbum este verano pasado.The singer recorded her first album this past summer.
b. to film (film, television)
Están grabando varios episodios de la serie en mi ciudad natal.They are filming several episodes of the show in my hometown.
2. (computing)
a. to save
Recomiendo que grabes el documento con tanta frecuencia como sea posible.I recommend that you save the document as often as possible.
a. to engrave (in stone or metal)
Los anillos de boda fueron grabados con las iniciales de los recién casados.The wedding rings were engraved with the initials of the newlyweds.
grabarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
4. (to recall)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Nunca se me graban los números de teléfono de mis amigos.I can never remember my friends' telephone numbers.
Hoy es un día que se me grabará por siempre en la memoria.Today is a day that will be forever etched in my mind.
