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"Obedecer" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to obey", and "acatar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to comply with". Learn more about the difference between "obedecer" and "acatar" below.
obedecer(
oh
-
beh
-
deh
-
sehr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to obey
Es un niño bien educado; siempre obedece a su madre.He's a well-behaved child; he always obeys his mother.
2. (because of)
a. to be due to
El viento obedece a una tormenta que se acerca.The wind is due to a storm that is approaching.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to obey
Tienes que aprender a obedecer sin replicar.You have to learn to obey without talking back.
acatar(
ah
-
kah
-
tahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to comply with
Tenemos que acatar la decisión del juez.We have to comply with the judge's decision.
b. to respect
Cada gobierno estatal deberá acatar las reglas de la federación.Each state government shall respect the rules of the federation.
c. to obey
Eres soldado, y por eso debes acatar las órdenes del general.You're a soldier, and therefore you must obey the general's orders.
