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"Originar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to cause", and "surgir" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to arise". Learn more about the difference between "originar" and "surgir" below.
originar(
oh
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ree
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hee
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nahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to cause
Una chispa en el circuito eléctrico originó el incendio en el edificio.A spark in the electronic circuit caused the fire in the building.
b. to give rise to
Estoy leyendo la novela que originó la película.I'm reading the novel that gave rise to the movie.
originarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to originate
El fascismo se originó en Italia como respuesta al marxismo.Fascism originated in Italy as a response to Marxism.
b. to start
Los disturbios se originaron en las afueras de la ciudad y continuaron hacia el centro.The riot started in the outskirts of the city and moved downtown.
surgir(
soor
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heer
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to arise
El cirujano puede solucionar cualquier complicación que surja durante la operación.The surgeon can address any complications that may arise during surgery.
b. to come up
Si surgiera algún problema mientras estamos fuera, llámanos de inmediato.If a problem were to come up while we are away, call us immediately.
c. to emerge
De nuestra discusión de la tarde surgieron varias ideas buenas.Several good ideas emerged from our afternoon discussion.
d. to appear
El carro surgió de la nada y no me dio tiempo de girar para evitarlo.The car appeared out of nowhere and I didn't have time to swerve to avoid it.
2. (to rise up)
a. to spring forth
Cuando la perforadora perforó la tierra, surgió una corriente constante de agua.When the drilling machine pierced the earth, a steady stream of water sprang forth.
