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"Hang around" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "quedarse", and "hang about" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "quedarse esperando". Learn more about the difference between "hang around" and "hang about" below.
hang around(
hahng
uh
-
raund
)An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
1. (to wait)
2. (to be idle)
a. holgazanear
The super is suspicious of those guys who are always hanging around in front of the building.El portero sospecha de esos tipos que siempre están holgazaneando frente al edificio.
b. merodear
I don't want to see you hanging around here causing trouble again.No quiero volver a verte merodeando por aquí causando problemas.
a. andar (with a person)
Barry's always hanging around with that nice girl who just moved.Barry siempre anda con esa linda chica que se acaba de mudar.
b. juntarse (with a person)
My friends and I like hanging around at a local restaurant every Tuesday.A mis amigos y a mí nos gusta juntarnos en un restaurante local todos los martes.
c. frecuentar (place)
The guys who hang around at the bar tip really well.Los muchachos que frecuentan el bar dan buenas propinas.
hang about(
hahng
uh
-
baut
)An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
1. (colloquial) (to wait for something) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
a. quedarse esperando
I suppose we've no choice but to hang about 'til Armando comes back.Supongo que no nos queda otra alternativa que quedarnos esperando hasta que vuelva Armando.
2. (colloquial) (to deliberate) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
a. pensárselo demasiado
You don't have time to hang about. You need to take a decision.No tienes el tiempo para pensártelo demasiado. Tienes que tomar una decisión.
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. dar vueltas por
There were some dodgy characters hanging about the park.Había unos tipos sospechosos que daban vueltas por la vecindad.
b. merodear por
The last time I saw Daniel, he was hanging about the neighborhood with his friends.La última vez que vi a Daniel, estaba merodeando por la vecindad con sus amigos.
