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"Fiarse de" is a pronominal verb phrase which is often translated as "to trust", and "fiar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to sell on credit". Learn more about the difference between "fiarse de" and "fiar" below.
fiarse de(
fyahr
-
seh
deh
)A pronominal verb phrase combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Se dio cuenta del problema.)
1. (general)
a. to trust
Me fío de ella porque es una persona muy sincera y compasiva.I trust her because she's a very sincere and compasionate person.
b. to believe
Nadie se fía ya de lo que promete el gobierno.No one believes any more what the government promises.
c. to go by (appearances)
Parecen buenas personas, pero, cuando hay tanto dinero de por medio, mejor no fiarse de las apariencias.They seem nice people, but when there's so much money involved, it's best not to go by appearances.
d. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
No me fío de que Ramón vaya a ayudarnos. Muchas veces dice cosas que luego no hace.I don't trust Ramon to help us. He often says things that he then doesn't do.
Por mucho que diga la tele, no me fío de que vaya a cambiar el tiempo. Esas nubes están muy negras.Whatever the TV says, I don't believe the weather will change. Those clouds are very black.
fiar(
fyahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to sell on credit
Te fiarán las cervezas si les dices que vas de mi parte.Mention my name and they will sell you the beers on credit.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to give credit
Ya no fiamos porque tuvimos problemas cobrando a algunos clientes.We no longer give credit because we had difficulties collecting payments.
fiarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to trust
Prefiero darle el dinero directamente a Melisa. No me fío de él.I prefer to give the money straight to Melisa. I don't trust him.
b. to believe
David prometió que vendría, pero no me fío de sus promesas.David promised he'd come, but I don't believe his promises.
