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"Sacudir" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to shake", and "temblar" is an intransitive verb which is also often translated as "to shake". Learn more about the difference between "sacudir" and "temblar" below.
sacudir(
sah
-
koo
-
deer
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to move)
a. to shake
Sacude la botella para mezclar los ingredientes.Shake the bottle to blend the ingredients.
b. to shake out
Antes de pasar la aspiradora, me gusta sacudir las alfombras para refrescarlas.Before vacuuming, I like to shake out the rugs to freshen them up.
2. (to smack)
a. to beat
No te olvides de sacudir la alfombra para quitar el polvo.Don't forget to beat the rug to get out all the dust.
3. (to shock)
a. to shake
La muerte de la abuela sacudió a toda la familia.Grandma's death shook the whole family.
a. to dust
Con tres perros, ella tiene que sacudir los muebles dos veces al día.With three dogs, she has to dust the furniture twice a day.
sacudirse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
a. to shake off
Salir a bailar te ayudará a sacudirte todo ese estrés. Going out dancing will help you shake off all that stress.
temblar(
tehm
-
blahr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
1. (to quake)
a. to shake
La Tierra comenzó a temblar y un ruido misterioso salió del suelo.The Earth began to shake and an eerie noise arose from the ground.
b. to shiver (from cold)
El viento que venía del lago la hizo temblar.The wind coming off the lake made her shiver.
c. to shudder
La máquina necesita mantenimiento para que deje de temblar.The machine needs maintenance so it stops shuddering.
d. to tremble
El niño empezó a temblar cuando la enfermera entró por la puerta con la enorme jeringuilla.The boy began to tremble when the nurse came through the door with the huge syringe.
a. to shudder
Sus padres temblaron al pensar en su hija viajando sola por Europa.Her parents shuddered to think of their daughter traveling alone around Europe.
