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"Golpear" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to hit", and "rechinar" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to creak". Learn more about the difference between "golpear" and "rechinar" below.
golpear(
gohl
-
peh
-
ahr
)
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. to hit
El jugador golpeó fuerte la pelota.The player hit the ball hard.
b. to bang
No golpees el cubo de la basura.Don't bang the trash can.
c. to punch
Lo golpeó en el estómago.He punched him in the stomach.
d. to bang on
El abogado golpeó la mesa durante el juicio.The lawyer banged on the table during the trial.
a. to hit
El pueblo fue golpeado con otra mala noticia ayer.The town was hit by another piece of bad news yesterday.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. to beat (with "against")
Las ramas del árbol golpearon contra la puerta.The branches of the tree beat against the door.
golpearse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
reflexive verb
a. to hit
Me golpeé el pie contra la reja tratando de darle una patada al balón.I hit my foot against the fence trying to kick the ball.
b. to bang oneself
Se golpeó contra la mesa al caerse.She banged herself on the table when she fell.
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rechinar(
rreh
-
chee
-
nahr
)
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. to creak (door)
La puerta rechinó cuando el viento la abrió lentamente.The door creaked as the wind opened it slowly.
b. to screech (brakes or tires)
Pisé el freno y las ruedas rechinaron.I slammed my foot on the brake and the tires screeched.
c. to clank (metal)
El martillo rechinaba fuerte contra el yunque.The hammer clanked loudly against the anvil.
d. to grate
Los dientes del perro rechinaban contra el hueso.The dog's teeth grated against the bone.
a. to grind
A mi esposo le rechinan los dientes cuando duerme.My husband grinds his teeth in his sleep.
b. to gnash
El dolor de pisar un clavo me hizo rechinar los dientes.I gnashed my teeth in pain when I stepped on the nail.
a. to grumble
Miguel rechinó porque le tocó limpiar la cocina.Miguel grumbled because he had to clean the kitchen.
4. (to get angry)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
(Latin America)
a. to rage
Mi esposo comenzó a rechinar porque la aerolínea perdió nuestro equipaje.My husband started raging because the airline company lost our luggage.
b. to fume
Silvia está rechinando porque le aumentaron el alquiler.Silvia is fuming because her rent increased.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
5. (to char)
Regionalism used in Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
(Central America)
Regionalism used in Mexico
(Mexico)
a. to burn
Baja el fuego o vas a rechinar el omelet.Turn down the heat or you'll burn the omelette.
b. to overcook
El bistec está seco porque lo rechinaste.The steak is dry because you overcooked it.
rechinarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
pronominal verb
6. (to get charred)
Regionalism used in Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
(Central America)
Regionalism used in Mexico
(Mexico)
a. to burn
La salsa se rechinó porque me distraje y no le presté atención.The sauce burned because I got distracted and didn't pay attention to it.
b. to overcook
La tortilla de papas se rechinó un poquito, pero, aun así, sabe bien.The Spanish tortilla overcooked a bit, but it still tastes good.
a. to lose one's temper
Normalmente, soy muy paciente, pero hoy lograste hacer que me rechine.Normally I'm very patient, but today you made me lose my temper.
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