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"Manchar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to stain", and "ensuciar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to dirty". Learn more about the difference between "manchar" and "ensuciar" below.
manchar(
mahn
-
chahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to dirty)
a. to stain
El lapicero estaba goteando y me manchó la camisa de tinta.The pen was leaking and it stained my shirt with ink.
b. to get dirty
Ten cuidado de no manchar el mantel cuando sirvas la salsa.Be careful not to get the tablecloth dirty when you pour the gravy.
a. to tarnish
Tristemente, el comportamiento de unos pocos estudiantes manchó la reputación de todo el colegio.Sadly, the bad behavior of a few students tarnished the reputation of the whole school.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
mancharse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
4. (to sully)
a. to tarnish oneself
Por haber hecho trampa en el examen, se te manchó el récord de estudiante.By cheating in the exam, your student record has been tarnished.
b. to dirty oneself
¡¿Cómo pudiste mancharte con dinero sucio e ilegal?!How could you have dirtied yourself with illegal and dirty money?!
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
a. to get stained
Me manché de grasa cuando estaba revisando el motor de mi carro.I got stained with grease when I was checking my car's motor.
b. to get something all over oneself
Si no te pones el delantal, vas a mancharte de pintura.If you don't wear a smock, you are going to get paint all over you.
ensuciar(
ehn
-
soo
-
syahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to sully
La revista de chismes ensució la imagen del actor.The gossip magazine sullied the actor's image.
ensuciarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to get dirty
No me había lavado las manos y terminé ensuciándome la blusa.I hadn't washed my hands and I ended up getting my blouse dirty.
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
