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"Make up" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "inventar", and "make out" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "distinguir". Learn more about the difference between "make up" and "make out" below.
make up(
meyk
uhp
)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.).
1. (to invent)
a. inventar
We found out that her story was all made up.Descubrimos que se había inventado toda la historia.
3. (to prepare)
a. preparar (prescription)
I'll get the pharmacist to make up your prescription.Le pediré al farmacéutico que prepare su receta.
b. hacer (bed or list)
We had to make up a bed on the floor.Tuvimos que hacernos una cama en el piso.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
I don't think they'll ever make it up, to be honest.Si te soy sincera, dudo que jamás se reconciliarán.
I think Will and Jen have made it up now.Creo que Will y Jen ya se han hecho las paces.
a. maquillar
I want to make my sister up for her wedding.Quiero maquillar a mi hermana el día de su boda.
a. maquillarse
I make myself up every morning for work.Me maquillo todas las mañanas para ir a trabajar.
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.).
a. hacer las paces
They're not talking to each other but they will make up eventually.No se hablan, pero acabarán por hacer las paces.
b. reconciliarse
After ten years of not talking to each other, the brothers finally made up.Después de diez años de no hablarse, los hermanos por fin se reconciliaron.
make out(
meyk
aut
)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.).
1. (to discern)
a. distinguir
I think I might need new glasses. I can't make out a thing on the screen.Creo que necesito gafas; no distingo nada en la pantalla.
b. divisar
With the binoculars, I could make out a hawk in the distance.Con los prismáticos pude divisar un halcón a lo lejos.
2. (to claim)
a. pintar como
Sorry, but you made this apartment out to be nicer than it really is, so I won't live here.Lo siento, pero pintaste el apartamento como si fuera mejor de lo que realmente es, por lo que no puedo alquilarlo.
b. hacer creer
So many parents make their children out to be smarter than they really are.Muchos padres hacen creer que sus niños son más inteligentes de lo que son en realidad.
c. fingir
Paul made out that he'd cooked the meal himself, but his mother had done most of it.Paul fingió haber preparado la comida él mismo, pero su madre había hecho la mayor parte.
3. (colloquial) (to understand)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. entender
I still can't make out his motives for committing the crime.Todavía no puedo entender sus motivos por cometer el crimen.
b. comprender
I can't make out that new employee. He keeps to himself and rarely talks.No puedo comprender a ese nuevo empleado, es muy reservado y rara vez habla.
c. descifrar
His handwriting is so terrible that I can't make out what he's written.Su letra es tan mala que no puedo descifrar lo que ha escrito.
4. (to write)
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.).
5. (colloquial) (to kiss) (United States)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United States
a. besuquearse
I saw Charlie and Karen making out in the park.Vi a Charlie y Karen besuqueándose en el parque.
b. fajarse (colloquial) (Mexico)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Mexico
If you and your girlfriend had spent less time making out, you would have seen more of the movie.Si tú y tu novia hubieran pasado menos tiempo fajándose, habrían visto más de la película.
c. franelear (colloquial) (River Plate)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Lots of my friends go down to the beach to make out.Muchos de mis amigos van a la playa a franelear.
d. chapar (colloquial) (Argentina) (Bolivia)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Argentina
Regionalism used in Bolivia
Instead of going to a movie after dinner, my date and I made out in the back of my car.En vez de irnos al cine después de la cena, mi pareja y yo chapamos en la parte de atrás de mi carro.
e. jamonearse (colloquial) (Venezuela)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Venezuela
Our friends at the party started giggling when they found out we were making out.Nuestros amigos en la fiesta empezaron a soltar risitas cuando se enteraron de que estábamos jamoneándonos.
f. darse el lote (colloquial) (Spain)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Spain
They aren't dating, but they regularly make out when they're drunk.No están saliendo juntos, pero normalmente se dan el lote cuando están borrachos.
6. (colloquial) (to get along)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
b. arreglarse
We're making out just fine with the money we have.Nos las estamos arreglando muy bien con el dinero que tenemos.
