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"Nombrar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to mention", and "a" is a preposition which is often translated as "to". Learn more about the difference between "nombrar" and "a" below.
nombrar(
nohm
-
brahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to mention
Desde que Felipe se peleó con mi papá, en mi casa no se le puede nombrar.Since Felipe had a falling-out with my dad, we can't mention him at home.
b. to name
Apuesto a que no puedes nombrar, en orden, los últimos seis presidentes de los Estados Unidos.I bet you can't name, in order, the last six presidents of the United States.
a. to appoint
Jorge es diplomático de carrera y fue nombrado embajador en el Japón.Jorge is a career diplomat, and was appointed ambassador to Japan.
b. to designate
El DG nombró a mi antiguo jefe vicepresidente de recursos humanos de nuestra organización.The CEO designated my former boss vice president of human resources for our organization.
c. to name
Tenemos que nombrar guardianes legales para nuestros hijos en caso de que algo nos suceda.We have to name legal guardians for our children in case something may happen to us.
a, la a(
ah
)A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Podía respirar a duras penas.He was hardly able to breathe.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¡A fregar los platos!Go do the dishes!
¡A la cama!Off to bed!
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Me encantaría ganar dinero a espuertas.I would love to earn lots of money.
Llovía a cántaros.It was pouring.
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
An abbreviation is the shortened form of a word or group of words (e.g., "UFO" = "unidentified flying object"; "p." = "page").
a. A
El circuito transporta una corriente de 1 A.The circuit carries a current of 1 A.
La intensidad de la corriente eléctrica se mide en A.The intensity of an electric current is measured in A.