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"Hacer frente a" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to face up to", and "abordar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to tackle". Learn more about the difference between "hacer frente a" and "abordar" below.
hacer frente a(
ah
-
sehr
frehn
-
teh
ah
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
a. to face up to
Sé que es duro, pero tarde o temprano tienes que hacer frente a la nueva situación.I know it's tough, but sooner or later you have to face up to the new situation.
b. to face
Tendrás que hacer frente a muchas dificultades para conseguir tu sueño.You will be facing many difficulties before you make your dream come true.
c. to confront
Un buen soldado es siempre valiente y está dispuesto a hacer frente a cualquier peligro.A good soldier is always brave and ready to confront any danger.
d. to tackle
Es admirable la fuerza con que esta madre soltera hace frente a los problemas cotidianos.It's admirable that this single mother tackles everyday problems with such strength.
e. to deal with
Mi libro se titula "Diez maneras de hacer frente al estrés".My book is titled "Ten Ways to Deal With Stress."
f. to cope with
El pobre Marcos es aún muy pequeño para hacer frente a la separación de sus padres.Poor Marcos is still too young to cope with the separation of his parents.
g. to meet (payments, demands, obligations)
La empresa no pudo hacer frente al pago de las nóminas y tuvo que cerrar.The company wasn't able to meet its payroll and had to close down.
a. to stand up to
Era un jefe muy autoritario. Nadie se atrevía a hacerle frente.He was an authoritarian boss. No one dared stand up to him.
b. to confront
Nuestro ejército hizo frente a las fuerzas enemigas en la ribera del río.Our army confronted the enemy forces by the riverside.
abordar(
ah
-
bohr
-
dahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to address)
a. to tackle
El libro aborda los principales problemas asociados con el uso de los combustibles fósiles.The book tackles the main problems associated with the use of fossil fuels.
b. to deal with
En la reunión, abordamos la cuestión de si debíamos contratar a más ayudantes.At the meeting, we dealt with the issue of whether we should hire more assistants.
a. to approach
No nos sorprendió cuando una joven abordó a nuestro sobrino famoso para pedirle su autógrafo.We weren't surprised when a young woman approached our famous nephew to ask for his autograph.
b. to accost (aggressively)
Un borracho me abordó en la calle para pedirme dinero.A drunk accosted me in the street and asked me for money.
3. (to enter)
a. to board
Llegué tarde al aeropuerto y no me dejaron abordar el avión.I arrived at the airport late, and they wouldn't let me board the plane.
b. to get into
Aborda el coche y espérame dentro; vuelvo en un minuto.Get into the car and wait for me inside; I'll be back in a minute.
c. to get on
Tropecé con los escalones al abordar el camión.I tripped on the steps when I was getting on the bus.
a. to ram
El pesquero abordó la barcaza sin querer por culpa de los fuertes vientos.The fishing vessel accidentally rammed the barge due to the high winds.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
5. (nautical)
a. to tie up
El mar estaba muy agitado; por eso fue un gran alivio abordar por fin en el puerto.The sea was very rough, so it was a great relief when we finally tied up in port.
