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"Establish" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "establecer", and "set up" is a transitive verb phrase which is also often translated as "establecer". Learn more about the difference between "establish" and "set up" below.
establish(
eh
-
stah
-
blihsh
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. establecer
His family established its first restaurant in 1987.Su familia estableció su primer restaurante en 1987.
St. Ignatius of Loyola established the Society of Jesus.San Ignacio de Loyola estableció la Compañía de Jesús.
b. fundar
Florence Nightingale established modern nursing.Florence Nightingale fundó la enfermería moderna.
c. instituir
The Church established the social justice fund in 1964.La Iglesia instituyó el fondo de justicia social en 1964.
2. (legal)
a. establecer
The developer established a precedent of paying only 30% of the applicable dues.El desarrollador estableció el precedente de pagar solo el 30% de los derechos aplicables.
b. sentar
The court established this doctrine in the Marbury v. Madison case of 1803.La corte sentó esta doctrina en el caso de Marbury contra Madison de 1803.
a. ganarse
Tony established his reputation as a leader in high school.Tony se ganó la reputación de líder en la escuela preparatoria.
5. (to prove)
a. determinar
The police established that the suspect was present at the time of the robbery.La policía determinó que el sospechoso estaba presente en el momento del robo.
b. demostrar
Lucy has several witnesses that can establish her innocence.Lucy tiene varios testigos que pueden demostrar su inocencia.
a. determinar
We need to establish which rule applies in this situation.Tenemos que determinar qué regla se aplica en esta situación.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. establecerse
Jacob established himself as a doctor in Ohio.Jacob se estableció como médico en Ohio.
set up(
sehd
uhp
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
1. (to create)
a. establecer
They set up their first pharmacy in Mexico City in 1903.Establecieron su primera farmacia en la Ciudad de México en 1903.
b. fundar
She set up the first dance school in the city.Ella fundó la primera escuela de danza de la ciudad.
c. constituir (a committee or cooperative)
The residents set up a condominium association.Los residentes del condominio constituyeron una asociación de propietarios.
d. crear
Before you can use the website, you have to set up an account.Antes de poder usar el sitio, tienes que crear una cuenta.
b. erigir
A monument was set up in honor of his victory.Se erigió un monumento en homenaje a su victoria.
c. levantar
He brought the statue from Italy and set it up in his garden.Trajo la estatua de Italia y la levantó en su jardín.
d. armar
They took the parts out of the box and got to work setting up the bookcase.Sacaron las piezas de la caja y se pusieron a trabajar para armar la estantería.
3. (computing)
a. configurar
I was looking for tips on how to set up a wireless network at home.Buscaba consejos sobre cómo configurar una red inalámbrica en la casa.
a. organizar
He offered to set up a meeting with his boss.Se ofreció a organizar una reunión con su jefe.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
His father set him up in business.Su padre le puso un negocio.
When I inherit that money, I'll be set up for life.Cuando herede ese dinero, tendré el porvenir asegurado.
6. (colloquial) (to frame)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
7. (to cause)
a. provocar
When the energy is released, it sets up a chain reaction.Cuando se desata la energía, esto provoca una reacción en cadena.
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.).
a. establecerse
Miguel thought of setting up as a barber.Miguel pensaba establecerse como peluquero.
a. prepararse
We'll give you a few minutes to set up, then we can start the presentation.Te daremos unos cuantos minutos para prepararte, luego podemos empezar la presentación.
b. alistarse (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
When we arrived, the band hadn't finished setting up.Cuando llegamos, la banda no había terminado de alistarse.
