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"Freír" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to fry", and "hervir" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to boil". Learn more about the difference between "freír" and "hervir" below.
freír(
freh
-
eer
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
2. (colloquial) (to shoot)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
3. (colloquial) (to bite)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
4. (colloquial) (to pester)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. to bombard
Cuando llegamos a casa, mis padres nos frieron a preguntas.My parents bombarded us with questions when we got home.
freírse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
5. (colloquial) (to get burnt)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. to get fried (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Con el sol que pega, te vas a freír en la playa.The way the sun is beating down, you'll get fried on the beach.
hervir(
ehr
-
beer
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
1. (to scald)
2. (to get hot)
a. to boil
Cuando entro a mi carro en el verano, está hirviendo.When I get into my car in the summer, it's boiling.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
4. (to scald)
a. to boil
Se me olvidó hervir los huevos para el aperitivo.I forgot to boil the eggs for the appetizer.