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"Quitar la mesa" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to clear the table", and "poner la mesa" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to set the table". Learn more about the difference between "quitar la mesa" and "poner la mesa" below.
quitar la mesa(
kee
-
tahr
lah
meh
-
sah
)An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
1. (general)
a. to clear the table
Después que comamos, yo te ayudo a quitar la mesa y a lavar los platos.After we eat, I will help you clear the table and do the dishes.
poner la mesa(
poh
-
nehr
lah
meh
-
sah
)An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
1. (general)
a. to set the table
Solo tenemos que poner la mesa y luego podemos comer.We just need to set the table and then we can eat.
b. to lay the table (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Mamá prepara la cena y nosotros ponemos la mesa.Mum cooks dinner and we lay the table.
