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"Habituar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to accustom", and "acostumbrar" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to be accustomed to". Learn more about the difference between "habituar" and "acostumbrar" below.
habituar(
ah
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bee
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twahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to accustom
Los profesores se encargarán de habituar a los alumnos nuevos al colegio.The teachers will be in charge of accustoming the new students to the school.
b. to get used
Todavía estamos habituando a nuestro perro a estar en la ciudad.We're still getting our dog used to being in the city.
habituarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
2. (to adapt)
a. to get used
Cuando llegué a Dublín tuve que habituarme a que no hiciera tanto sol.When I got to Dublin, I had to get used to it not being sunny as much.
b. to get accustomed
Una vez que te habitúes, creo que te gustará vivir aquí.Once you get accustomed, I think you'll like living here.
acostumbrar(
ah
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kohs
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toom
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brahr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
c. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Acostumbraba cortarme el cabello con José.I used to get my hair cut by Jose.
¿Dónde acostumbrabas almorzar cuando trabajabas en el banco?Where did you use to have lunch when you worked at the bank?
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to get used to
Antes de sacar la planta de la maceta, debes acostumbrarla al lugar donde se va a plantar.Before you take the plant out of the pot, you should get it used to the place where it is going to be planted.
Hay que acostumbrar al bebé a comer comida sólida poco a poco.We need to get the baby used to eating solid food little by little.
acostumbrarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to get used to
Después de un año de vivir en el desierto, te acostumbras al calor. After a year of living in the desert, you get used to the heat.
