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"Confunde" is a form of "confundir", a transitive verb which is often translated as "to confuse". "Debe" is a form of "deber", a transitive verb which is often translated as "to owe". Learn more about the difference between "confunde" and "debe" below.
confundir(
kohm
-
foon
-
deer
)
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. to confuse
La manera en que se formuló la pregunta me confundió.The way that the question was worded confused me.
b. to confound
Cada vez que el consejo saca un documento nuevo, solo confunden más las cosas.Every time the board puts out a new document, they only confound things more.
a. to confuse
Esa mujer me habló como si fuera un amigo de toda la vida. Creo que me confundía con otro.That woman spoke to me as if I were an old friend. I think she was confusing me with someone else.
b. to mix up
Estaba confundiendo este restaurante con el otro donde fuimos.I was mixing up this restaurant with the other one we went to.
c. to mistake
Cuando llamo a alguien por teléfono, siempre me confunden con mi madre porque nos parecemos mucho en la voz.When I phone someone, they always mistake me for my mother because we sound alike.
a. to overwhelm
La familia estaba confundida por la generosidad de la comunidad.The family was overwhelmed by the community's generosity.
confundirse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
pronominal verb
a. to make a mistake
El contable estaba tan agobiado de trabajo que se confundió en varias facturas que procesó.The accountant was so overwhelmed with work that he made a mistake on several bills that he processed.
b. to get wrong
Es normal confundirse de palabras mientras se aprende otro idioma.It's normal to get words wrong when learning another language.
a. to get confused
Nos confundimos con las líneas de tren y no hicimos el transbordo.We got confused with the train lines and missed the transfer.
b. to get mixed up
Me confundí en el centro comercial porque hay muchos corredores y partes diferentes.I got mixed up in the mall because there are so many corridors and different parts.
a. to blend
Todos los colores del cielo se confunden a la puesta del sol.All the colors of the sky blend at sunset.
b. to disappear
El espía se confundió en la multitud de la manifestación.The spy disappeared into the crowd of the protest.
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deber(
deh
-
behr
)
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. to owe
El dinero que me debe cubriría mis facturas.The money he owes me would cover my bills.
An auxiliary verb, or helper verb, is a conjugated verb that comes before a main verb and determines the main verb's tense, mood, or aspect (e.g., I have gone.).
auxiliary verb
a. should
Los culpables de delitos viales deben ser sancionados.Traffic offenders should be punished.
b. have to
Ya sabes que debes ponerte la corbata para ir al colegio.You know you have to wear your tie to go to school.
c. must
Debo ser responsable.I must be responsible.
d. ought to
Es tu hermano, debes ayudarlo.He's your brother. You ought to help him.
a. must
¿Cuántos años tiene tu profesora de francés? - Debe tener unos cuarenta.How old is your French teacher? - She must be around forty.
a. should
No deberías fumar tanto. Vas a acabar con una tos crónica.You shouldn't smoke so much. You'll end up having a chronic cough.
b. ought to
Deberías ser más amable con los vecinos.You ought to be more polite to our neighbors.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. duty
Es mi deber proteger mi país.It's my duty to protect my country.
b. obligation
Es tu deber como madre cuidar a tus hijos.It's your obligation as a mother to take care of your children.
los deberes
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
plural noun
a. homework
Tengo un montón de deberes que hacer este fin de semana.I have a ton of homework to do this weekend.
deberse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
pronominal verb
a. to be due to
Esta situación se debe a la falta de información.This situation is due to a lack of information.
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