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"Importar" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to matter", and "querer" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to want". Learn more about the difference between "importar" and "querer" below.
importar(
eem
-
pohrr
-
tahrr
)
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. to matter
No importa si no puedes venir.It doesn't matter if you can't come.
b. to be important
El costo no importa; pagaré lo que sea necesario para salvar a mi hijo.The cost isn't important; I'll pay whatever is necessary to save my son.
a. to care
No me importa lo que digan.I don't care what people say.
b. to mind
No me importa trabajar los sábados si la paga es buena.I don't mind working on Saturdays if the pay is good.
a. to care
Parece que ni te importa saber lo que opino.It looks like you don't even care what I think.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. to import
Importamos mucha gasolina en este país.We import a lot of gasoline in this country.
a. to import
Necesito importar mis contactos a Outlook.I need to import my contacts into Outlook.
a. to amount to
La factura importa $1000.The bill amounts to $1000.
b. to come to
¿Cuánto importan dos kilos de cebolla?How much do two kilos of onions come to?
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querer(
keh
-
rehr
)
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. to want
Quiero comer chocolate.I want to eat chocolate.
a. to love
Ella todavía te quiere profundamente.She still loves you deeply.
b. to like
El perro te quiere mucho.The dog likes you a lot.
c. to be fond of
Quiero mucho a mis estudiantes.I am very fond of my students.
a. to mean
No sé si quisiste ofenderme, pero lo lograste.I don't know if you meant to offend me, but you did.
b. to try
Hace años que quiero ir a París, pero es demasiado caro.I've been trying to go to Paris for years, but it's too expensive.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. beloved
Llora por el hombre que fue su querer.She cries for the man that was her beloved.
b. love
El primer querer siempre es el más fuerte.First love is always the deepest.
a. love affair
Cuando salió a relucir su querer, el gobernador renunció.When his love affair was exposed, the governor resigned.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. to want
Estaré en casa todo el fin de semana así que llama cuando quieras.I'll be home all weekend so call when you want.
quererse
A reciprocal verb is a verb that indicates that two or more subjects perform an action on each other (e.g., Ellos se abrazan.).
reciprocal verb
a. to love each other
Dejaron de quererse.They no longer love each other.
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
reflexive verb
a. to love oneself
Necesitas empezar a quererte más.You need to learn to love yourself more.
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