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"Llorar" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to cry", and "patalear" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to stamp". Learn more about the difference between "llorar" and "patalear" below.
llorar(
yoh
-
rahr
)
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. to cry
La mujer empezó a llorar y no sabíamos cómo consolarla.The woman started crying and we didn't know how to comfort her.
b. to weep
Todos lloraban en el funeral.Everyone was weeping at the funeral.
a. to whine
No te entiendo cuando estás llorando. ¡Háblame bien!I don't know what you're saying when you're whining. Speak properly!
b. to moan
Llórale un poquito a la abuela a ver si te paga el viaje.Why don't you go and moan to your grandma and see if she'll pay for the trip.
a. to water
Me lloran los ojos si hay demasiada luz.My eyes water when it's too bright.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. to cry
"Perdí mi peluche", dijo la niñita mientras lloraba lágrimas amargas."I lost my teddy," said the little girl while she cried bitter tears.
a. to mourn
Lloramos su muerte cada día.We mourn his passing every day.
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patalear(
pah
-
tah
-
leh
-
ahr
)
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. to stamp
Los niños hambrientos pataleaban y golpeaban los cubiertos sobre la mesa.The hungry children stamped and hit their forks and knives on the table.
b. to stomp one's feet
El baterista precalentó las piernas pataleando sobre el piso.The drummer warmed up his legs by stomping his feet on the floor.
a. to kick
Acuéstate de espalda, levanta las piernas y patalea como si estuvieras andando en bicicleta.Lay on your back, raise your legs, and kick as if you were on a bike.
b. to kick about
El bebé lloraba y pataleaba.The baby was crying and kicking about.
3.
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
(to protest)
a. to make a fuss
No voy a cambiar de parecer por más que patalees.You can make a fuss but I'm not going to change my mind.
b. to kick up a fuss
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
Mi hijo pataleó porque no le compré un chocolate en el quiosco.My son kicked up a fuss because I didn't buy him chocolate at the kiosk.
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