vs
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"Meses" is a form of "mesar", a transitive verb which is often translated as "to tear". "Cumplir años" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to have one's birthday". Learn more about the difference between "meses" and "cumplir años" below.
mesar(
meh
-
sahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
mesarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to pull at one's hair
El paciente psiquiátrico tenía la manía de mesarse el cabello.The psychiatric patient pulled at his hair compulsively.
cumplir años(
koom
-
pleer
ah
-
nyohs
)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.).
1. (general)
a. to have one's birthday
Cumpliré años el mes que viene. No me hace mucha ilusión.I will have my birthday next month. I'm not looking forward to it.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Carmen cumplió años el mes pasado.Carmen's birthday was last month.
¿Cuándo cumples años? - El 6 de agosto.When is your birthday? - August 6th.
