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"Este" is a form of "este", a noun which is often translated as "east". "Oír" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to hear". Learn more about the difference between "este" and "oír" below.
el este, este(
ehs
-
teh
)
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. east
La "E" en la brújula significa "este".The "E" on the compass means "east."
a. east
La ventana de nuestra habitación daba hacia el este.Our bedroom window opened to the east.
a. east
Los que viven en el este de la ciudad tienen un acento diferente a los demás.The people who live in the city's east have a different accent compared to the rest.
a. east wind
El este trajo una plaga de langostas.The east wind brought with it a plague of locusts.
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
adjective
a. eastern
La zona este de la ciudad tiene unos restaurantes excelentes.The eastern part of the city has some excellent restaurants.
b. east
El lado este de la bahía es el lugar perfecto para nadar.The east side of the bay is the perfect place for swimming.
c. easterly
Es mejor ir en dirección este si quieres evitar el bosque.It's better to go in an easterly direction if you want to stay clear of the forest.
a. this
Este año acabo la universidad.I finish university this year.
Esta libreta no es mía.This notebook isn't mine.
A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
pronoun
a. this
Este no es el plato que pedí.This is not the meal I ordered.
Esta no es la camisa que quería.This is not the shirt I wanted.
b. this one
Me voy a llevar este; el gorro chico no me queda.I'm going to take this one; the small hat doesn't fit me.
¿Qué falda te gusta más? - Esta es muy bonita.Which skirt do you like better? - This one is really pretty.
An interjection is a short utterance that expresses emotion, hesitation, or protest (e.g., Wow!).
interjection
a. um
¿A qué hora llega tu jefe? - Este, no estoy segura.What time does your boss arrive? - Um, I'm not sure.
b. er
¿Te gusta mi nuevo corte de cabello? - Este, claro que sí.Do you like my new haircut? - Er, of course.
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oír(
oh
-
eer
)
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. to hear
Las paredes son tan finas que oigo a los vecinos hablar.The walls are so thin I can hear the neighbors talking.
a. to listen to
Se pasa las tardes oyendo música.He spends all afternoon listening to music.
a. to hear
Oí la noticia del motín en la radio.I heard the news of the riot on the radio.
a. to hear
Me quejé a mucha gente, pero nadie quiso oírme.I complained to many people, but nobody wanted to hear me.
a. to get
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
“No lo vuelvas a hacer, ¿me oyes?” dijo el maestro."Don't do it again, got it?" said the teacher.
oírse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
pronominal verb
a. to sound
¿Qué tal se oye ahí atrás?How does it sound back there?
b. to hear
No se oía nada por el ruido del avión.Nothing could be heard over the noise of the airplane.
A reciprocal verb is a verb that indicates that two or more subjects perform an action on each other (e.g., Ellos se abrazan.).
reciprocal verb
a. to hear each other
Fue una llamada muy frustrante porque no nos oíamos nada.It was a very frustrating call because we couldn't hear each other at all.
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