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"Pestañear" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to blink", and "parpadear" is an intransitive verb which is also often translated as "to blink". Learn more about the difference between "pestañear" and "parpadear" below.
pestañear(
pehs
-
tah
-
nyeh
-
ahr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
1. (general)
a. to blink
Tengo un orzuelo y me duele el ojo al pestañear.I have a sty and my eye hurts when I blink.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Desmintió el rumor sin pestañear.He denied the rumor without batting an eye.
Ni siquiera pestañeó cuando la acusaron.She didn't even blink when she was accused.
parpadear(
pahr
-
pah
-
deh
-
ahr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to twinkle (star)
Las estrellas parpadeaban allá en lo alto.The stars twinkled up there in the sky.
b. to flicker (light)
La luz de la entrada parpadeaba y adentro reinaba la más absoluta oscuridad.The entrance light was flickering, and the most absolute darkness reigned inside.
