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"Refer to" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "hacer referencia a", and "refer" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "referirse". Learn more about the difference between "refer to" and "refer" below.
refer to(
rih
-
fuhr
 
tu
)
A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
transitive verb phrase
a. hacer referencia a
The group leader gave a report of the trip without referring to any of the problems we'd had.El líder de grupo dio un informe del viaje sin hacer referencia a ninguno de los problemas que habíamos tenido.
b. referirse a
Angie referred to the author as "one of the major influences on my work."Angie se refirió al autor como "una de las principales influencias sobre mi trabajo".
a. referirse a
What I'm saying obviously doesn't refer to everyone, only those who haven't replied yet.Evidentemente, lo que digo no se refiere a todos, solo a los que todavía no han respondido.
b. aplicarse a
The new rule refers to anyone born after April 6th, 1980.La nueva regla se aplica a todos los que nacieron después del 6 de abril de 1980.
a. consultar
Sally gave the whole speech without once referring to her notes.Sally dio todo el discurso sin consultar sus apuntes ni una sola vez.
b. consultar con
Jake said he had to refer to his boss before he could authorize the discount.Jake dijo que tenía que consultar con su jefa antes de autorizar el descuento.
a. remitir a
The company said they didn't offer the holiday I wanted, but they referred me to a company they thought could help.La empresa dijo que no ofrecía las vacaciones que yo quería, pero me remitieron a una empresa que pensaban podría ayudarme.
b. derivar a
William's doctor referred him to a cardiologist at his last appointment.El doctor de William lo derivó al cardiólogo en su última cita.
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refer(
rih
-
fuhr
)
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. referirse
This note refers to the book's author.Esta nota se refiere al autor del libro.
a. consultar
Refer to the bibliography if you want to research further.Consulta la bibliografía si quieres investigar más.
a. denominar
Michael Jackson is often referred to as the king of pop.A Michael Jackson suele denominársele el rey del pop.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. remitir
I will refer it to the academic council.Voy a remitirlo al consejo académico.
b. mandar
My doctor referred me to a specialist.El médico me mandó a un especialista.
a. referir
Your GP will refer you to a specialist.Tu médico de cabecera te referirá a un especialista.
b. derivar
The doctor referred me to an orthopedic surgeon.El médico me derivó a un traumatólogo.
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