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"Hacer frente a" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to face up to", and "afrontar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to confront". Learn more about the difference between "hacer frente a" and "afrontar" 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.
afrontar(
ah
-
frohn
-
tahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to confront
Debes afrontar tus miedos en vez de huir de ellos.You should confront your fears instead of running from them.
b. to face
O haz el trabajo correcto la primera vez o afronta las consecuencias.Either do the job correctly the first time or face the consequences.
c. to face up to
Aunque no nos guste, tenemos que afrontar esta tarea.Although we may not like it, we have to face up to the task at hand.
a. to bring face-to-face
La ronda final del torneo afrontó a los rivales.The final round of the tournament brought the rivals face-to-face.
