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"Por" is a preposition which is often translated as "by", and "acostarse" is a reflexive verb which is often translated as "to go to bed". Learn more about the difference between "por" and "acostarse" below.
por(
pohr
)
A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
preposition
a. by
Pásate por mi casa si quieres.Come by my house if you want.
a. because of
Se retiró por problemas personales.She resigned because of personal issues.
a. for
Estaré en Madrid por Navidad.I will be in Madrid for Christmas.
a. by
Puedes seguir tu paquete por correo electrónico.You can track your parcel by e-mail.
a. through
El hilo pasa por la aguja.The thread passes through the needle.
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
¿Has ido a por tu hijo a la escuela?Have you picked up your son from school?
Habrá que ir a por leche cuando lleguemos.We'll need to go out for milk when we get there.
a. times
Tres por tres son nueve.Three times three is nine.
a. per
Mi tarifa es 50 dólares por artículo.My rate is 50 dollars per article.
a. for
Te doy quince pesos por la cobija.I'll give you fifteen pesos for the blanket.
a. for
Yo terminaré el trabajo por ti cuando estés de vacaciones.I'll finish the job for you while you're on vacation.
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
Está por verse.That remains to be seen.
El asunto está por resolverse.The issue is yet to be resolved.
b. about to
Mi papá está por llegar.My dad's about to arrive.
a. by
¿Ese cuadro fue pintado por Elena o Rosa?Was that painting done by Elena or Rosa?
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acostarse(
ah
-
kohs
-
tahr
-
seh
)
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
reflexive verb
a. to go to bed
Me acosté temprano anoche.I went to bed early last night.
a. to lie down
Se acostó en la arena y se puso la camisa en la cabeza.She lay down in the sand and put her shirt over her head.
acostar
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. to put to bed
Acosté a los niños, y luego me acosté yo.I put the children to bed and then went to bed myself.
a. to lay down
Acuesta a la paciente y levántale las piernas.Lay the patient down and raise her legs.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.