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"Poner" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to put", and "pegar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to hit". Learn more about the difference between "poner" and "pegar" 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)
pegar(
peh
-
gahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to hit
Le pegó a la pelota de béisbol y marcó un jonrón.He hit the baseball and scored a home run.
2. (to attach)
a. to paste (with glue)
Voy a pegar esto en mi cuaderno para que me inspire.I'm going to paste this in my notebook for inspiration.
b. to glue (with glue)
Pega las dos hojas y luego dóblalas por la mitad.Glue the two sheets together and then fold them in half.
c. to stick
Pega este dibujo al lado del otro con chinches.Stick this drawing next to that one with thumbtacks.
4. (computing)
a. to paste
Copia ese texto y pégalo en este documento.Copy that text and paste it into this document.
a. to give
Mi tía me pegó la gripa y ahora me tengo que quedar en casa.My aunt gave me the flu and now I have to stay home.
7. (to give)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Está en el hospital después de que le hayan pegado un tiro.He's in the hospital after having been shot.
Cuando vio el ratón, pegó un grito.When she saw the mouse, she screamed.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
pegarse
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 hit each other
Mis dos hermanos siempre se pegan cuando vamos al supermercado.My two brothers always hit each other when we go to the supermarket.
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
a. to hit oneself
El niñito se pegó con su mochila y empezó a llorar.The little boy hit himself with his backpack and began to cry.
b. to bump into
Me pegué con la silla al salir de la cocina.I bumped into the chair as I was leaving the kitchen.
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
11. (to cling)
a. to stick
Los frijoles se pegaron a la olla y no los puedo quitar.The beans stuck to the pan and I can't scrape them off.
12. (to catch)
a. to pick up
Siempre se me pega el acento cubano de mi abuelo cuando lo visito.I always pick up my grandfather's Cuban accent when I visit him.
