vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Hervir" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to boil", and "freír" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to fry". Learn more about the difference between "hervir" and "freír" below.
hervir(
ehr
-
beer
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
1. (to scald)
2. (to get hot)
a. to boil
Cuando entro a mi carro en el verano, está hirviendo.When I get into my car in the summer, it's boiling.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
4. (to scald)
a. to boil
Se me olvidó hervir los huevos para el aperitivo.I forgot to boil the eggs for the appetizer.
freír(
freh
-
eer
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
2. (colloquial) (to shoot)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
3. (colloquial) (to bite)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
4. (colloquial) (to pester)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. to bombard
Cuando llegamos a casa, mis padres nos frieron a preguntas.My parents bombarded us with questions when we got home.
freírse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
5. (colloquial) (to get burnt)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. to get fried (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Con el sol que pega, te vas a freír en la playa.The way the sun is beating down, you'll get fried on the beach.
