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"Ilusionar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to excite", and "corresponder" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to repay". Learn more about the difference between "ilusionar" and "corresponder" below.
ilusionar(
ee
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loo
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syoh
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nahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to excite
Me ilusiona la idea de trabajar con un grupo de gente tan creativa.I'm excited at the idea of working with a group of really creative people.
b. to thrill
Estar con él ya no me ilusiona tanto como al principio de la relación.Being with him doesn't thrill me as much as it used to at the beginning of the relationship.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
El candidato ilusionó a los votantes con sus promesas de mejoras económicas.The candidate built up voters' expectations with promises of economic improvement.
El profesor ilusionó a los alumnos al decirles que el examen no era difícil.The teacher got the students' hopes up when he said the exam wouldn't be difficult.
ilusionarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to get one's hopes up
Cuando suena el teléfono me ilusiono pensando en que sea Juan.When the phone rings I get my hopes up thinking it could be Juan.
a. to get excited
Miguel se ilusionó porque su abuelo lo iba a visitar ese fin de semana.Miguel was excited about his grandfather coming to visit that weekend.
corresponder(
koh
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rrehs
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pohn
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dehr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to concern
Esa tarea te fue asignada a ti y no me corresponde a mí.That task was assigned to you and doesn't concern me.
b. to be one's job
A los meseros no les corresponde limpiar la cocina del restorán.Cleaning the restaurant kitchen is not the waiters' job.
c. to be for one to
No eres mi jefe. No te corresponde decirme lo que tengo que hacer.You're not my boss. It's not for you to tell me what to do.
a. to love back
¿Por qué lloras? - Le confesé mi amor a Nicolás, pero él no me corresponde.Why are you crying? - I told Nicolás that I love him, but he doesn't love me back.
b. to return one's love
Siempre estuvo enamorado de Patricia, pero ella nunca le correspondió.He had always been in love with Patricia, but she never returned his love.
c. to feel the same way
Estoy enamorado de Ingrid, pero ella no me corresponde.I'm in love with Ingrid, but she doesn't feel the same way.
4. (to befit)
a. to be fitting
A los invitados no les corresponde actuar como anfitriones.It is not fitting for a guest to act as the host.
b. to be right
¿Corresponde dejarle propina al peluquero o no se estila?Is it right to give the hairdresser a tip or is it not a common practice?
c. to be appropriate
Esa película no corresponde a menores de edad.That movie is not appropriate for underage children.
a. to correspond to (mathematics)
Juan, ¿cuál es la respuesta del primer problema? - X corresponde a 14.What's the answer to the first problem, Juan? - X corresponds to 14.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
6. (to receive)
corresponderse
A reciprocal verb is a verb that indicates that two or more subjects perform an action on each other (e.g., Ellos se abrazan.).
a. to correspond
Nos correspondemos desde que se mudó a Rusia.We have been corresponding since she moved to Russia.
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
8. (to square)
a. to match
Esa vieja mesa de madera no se corresponde con la moderna sala de estar.That old wooden table doesn't match with the modern living room.
