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"Patinar" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to skate", and "descansar" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to rest". Learn more about the difference between "patinar" and "descansar" below.
patinar()
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
1. (sport)
b. to roller-skate (with wheels)
Fuimos a patinar a la pista junto al lago.We went roller-skating at the rink next to the lake.
c. to ice-skate (on ice)
En invierno salen a patinar al lago.They go ice-skating on the lake in winter.
d. to rollerblade (with inline skates)
Tienes que patinar muy bien si quieres jugar hockey sobre patines.You've got to be very good at rollerblading if you want to play inline hockey.
2. (surface)
3. (colloquial) (to make a blunder)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. to slip up
Es un buen cineasta, pero con esa película patinó.He's a good filmmaker, but he slipped up on that film.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
patinarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
descansar()
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to rest
Después del partido, necesitamos descansar un poco.After the game, we need to rest a bit.
b. to have a break
Últimamente tengo mucho trabajo y solo descanso los domingos.I have a lot of work on lately and only have a break on Sundays.
a. to rest
En este lugar las almas desafortunadas pueden descansar en paz.This is a place where unfortunate souls can rest in peace.
a. to rest
El campo descansa un año entero cada tres años.The field rests for a full year once every three years.
