vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Oír" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to hear", and "rodear" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to surround". Learn more about the difference between "oír" and "rodear" below.
oír(
oh
-
eer
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to hear
Las paredes son tan finas que oigo a los vecinos hablar.The walls are so thin I can hear the neighbors talking.
a. to hear
Me quejé a mucha gente, pero nadie quiso oírme.I complained to many people, but nobody wanted to hear me.
a. to get (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
“No lo vuelvas a hacer, ¿me oyes?” dijo el maestro."Don't do it again, got it?" said the teacher.
oírse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
A reciprocal verb is a verb that indicates that two or more subjects perform an action on each other (e.g., Ellos se abrazan.).
a. to hear each other
Fue una llamada muy frustrante porque no nos oíamos nada.It was a very frustrating call because we couldn't hear each other at all.
rodear(
rroh
-
deh
-
ahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to surround
Estaban rodeados por el enemigo y tuvieron que rendirse.They were surrounded by the enemy and had to surrender.
2. (to go around) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. to circle
Rodea el número correcto con lápiz o esfero.Circle the correct number with a pencil or pen.
rodearse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
a. to surround oneself
Se rodeó de su familia antes de fallecer.He surrounded himself with his family before passing away.
