vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Poner" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to put", and "apostar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to bet". Learn more about the difference between "poner" and "apostar" below.
poner(
poh
-
nehr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to place)
2. (figurative) (to cause to be)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
a. to put
Su renuncia me pone en una situación difícil.His resignation puts me in a difficult position.
3. (clothing)
a. to put on
Después de bañar a la bebé, hay que ponerle ropa limpia.After giving the baby a bath, you have to put some clean clothes on her.
4. (to install)
6. (to grade)
7. (to produce)
a. to put in
Podemos alquilar ese sitio si todos ponemos algo de dinero.We can rent the place if everybody puts in some cash.
9. (to connect)
10. (to name)
11. (to establish)
a. to open
Sandy y su esposo van a poner una panadería en la calle principal.Sandy and her husband are going to open a bakery on main street.
ponerse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
12. (to become)
a. to get
No te pongas impaciente conmigo cuando no has hecho nada para ayudar.Don't get impatient with me when you haven't done anything to help.
b. to be
No te pongas triste, cariño. Todo se arreglará.Don't be sad, sweetie. Everything will work out.
c. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Me pongo furiosa con pensarlo.It makes me mad to think about it.
El perro siempre se pone feliz al verte.The dog's always happy to see you.
a. to wear
Ya nunca me pongo ese vestido porque se ha quedado muy anticuado.I don't wear that dress anymore because it's very old-fashioned.
17. (to go down)
apostar(
ah
-
pohs
-
tahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to gamble)
a. to bet
Te apuesto que no lloverá el día de tu boda; no te preocupes.I bet you that it won't rain on your wedding day; don't worry.
Te apuesto $15 a que no eres capaz de encestar la pelota diez veces seguidas.I'll bet you $15 that you can't sink the ball ten times in a row.
2. (to station)
a. to station
Había militares apostados en las casetas de control para controlar los coches que entraban y salían del país.There were soldiers stationed at the checkpoints to check the cars coming in and out of the country.
b. to post
Los mafiosos abrieron fuego contra los policías apostados fuera del juzgado.The gangsters opened fire on the police who were posted outside the courthouse.
c. to position
El capitán apostó a sus soldados en la trinchera para no arriesgar sus vidas.The captain positioned his soldiers in the trench so as not to put their lives at risk.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to bet
Mi padre apostó a que el precio del petróleo subiría dentro de un año.My father bet that oil prices would rise within a year.
a. to opt for
La actriz apostó por un vestido color naranja muy elegante.The actress opted for a very elegant orange dress.
b. to go for
Quieren salvar su matrimonio y por eso han decidido apostar por la mediación.They want to save their marriage so they've decided to go for mediation.
apostarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
5. (to gamble)
a. to bet
Me apuesto una pizza a que no eres capaz de lavar los platos dos semanas sin quejarte.I'll bet a pizza that you won't be able to wash the dishes for two weeks without complaining.
a. to position oneself
El soldado se apostó detrás de un árbol para evitar los disparos.The soldier positioned himself behind a tree to avoid the bullets.
