vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Refiere" is a form of "referir", a transitive verb which is often translated as "to refer". "Potenciar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to promote". Learn more about the difference between "refiere" and "potenciar" below.
referir(
rreh
-
feh
-
reer
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to refer
Le enseñé a mi doctor el quiste que tengo en el ojo y me refirió a un oftalmólogo.I showed my doctor the cyst that I have on my eye, and he referred me to an ophthalmologist.
2. (literary) (to narrate)
A word or phrase restricted in usage to literature or established writing (e.g., sex, once upon a time).
a. to tell of
Quizás podrías referirnos tus viajes en las Américas.Perhaps you could tell us of your travels in the Americas.
b. to recount
Rodeado de sus nietos, empezó a referirles los sucesos de la batalla.Surrounded by his grandchildren, he began to recount the events of the battle.
c. to relate
En la entrevista nos refirió exactamente cómo llegó a ser gerente.In the interview he related to us exactly how he came to be a manager.
a. to relate
No entiendo por qué refiere el artista al museo cuando las dos cosas no tienen nada que ver.I don't understand why he relates the artist to the museum when they have nothing to do with each other.
referirse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to refer
Si te refieres a lo que pasó anoche, quería pedirte perdón por mi comportamiento.If you're referring to what happened last night, I wanted to apologize for my behavior.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
En lo que se refiere a los empleados nuevamente contratados, tenemos que estar de acuerdo en cuanto a la capacitación.As far as new hires are concerned, we have to all be on the same page with regard to training.
Hay algunas medidas que podemos tomar en lo que se refiere al presupuesto.There are some measures we can take with regards to the budget.
potenciar(
poh
-
tehn
-
syahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to promote
Las estrategias adoptadas no potenciaron el desarrollo y aumentaron la desigualdad.The strategies adopted failed to promote development and increased inequality.
b. to foster
El acuerdo firmado hoy potenciará el comercio bilateral entre ambos países.The agreement signed today will foster bilateral trade between the two countries.
c. to improve
La mejor forma de potenciar el aprendizaje es dejando que el estudiante cometa errores.The best way to improve learning is to allow students to make mistakes.
a. to strengthen
El gobierno afirma que las nuevas medidas potenciarán la economía venezolana.The government states that the new measures will strengthen the Venezuelan economy.
b. to boost
Hablar a un niño en dos idiomas potencia su capacidad de escucha.Speaking to a child in two languages boosts their listening skills.
