vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Shift" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "mover", and "switch" is a noun which is often translated as "el interruptor". Learn more about the difference between "shift" and "switch" below.
shift(
shihft
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to move)
a. mover
The administration shifted the employee entrance to the back of the building.La administración movió la entrada de empleados a la parte trasera del edificio.
The train shifted suddenly, knocking me off balance.El tren se movió de repente y perdí el equilibrio.
b. correr
We need to shift those tables because they block the entrance.Hay que correr esas mesas porque estorban la entrada.
2. (to change)
a. cambiar
We need to shift people's opinions if we are going to win this campaign.Necesitamos cambiar las opiniones de la gente si vamos a ganar esta campaña.
a. cambiar de
You have to learn to shift gears if you want me to lend you my car.Tienes que aprender a cambiar de marcha si quieres que te preste mi coche.
4. (to sell)
a. vender
The boss just called and said we need to shift all the stocks we have in oil companies.El jefe acaba de llamar y dijo que hay que vender todas las acciones que tenemos en empresas de petróleo.
5. (colloquial) (to remove) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
a. sacar
I need to buy some bleach to try and shift these stains.Tengo que comprar lejía para ver si puedo sacar estas manchas.
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
6. (change)
a. la palanca de cambios (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
I have to buy a new shift for my car.Tengo que comprar una palanca de cambios nueva para mi coche.
b. la palanca de velocidades (F) (Mexico)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Regionalism used in Mexico
The shift is stuck!¡Se atoró la palanca de velocidades!
9. (clothing)
a. el vestido suelto (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
It's easy to sew a shift.Es fácil coser un vestido suelto.
10. (computing)
a. la tecla shift (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
I can't find shift on your computer. Where is it?No encuentro la tecla shift en tu computadora. ¿Dónde está?
11. (geology)
a. el desplazamiento (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The earthquake created a half a meter shift.El terremoto ocasionó un desplazamiento de medio metro.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
12. (to move)
a. cambiar de marcha
It's easy to learn to shift; you just have to keep practicing.Es fácil aprender a cambiar de marcha; solo tienes que seguir practicando.
b. cambiar de velocidad (Mexico)
Regionalism used in Mexico
Shoot! I hate shifting on hills.¡Chin! Odio cambiar de velocidad en las colinas.
14. (colloquial) (to go fast) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
a. correr
I want a Shelby Cooper; those cars can really shift!Quiero un Shelby Cooper; ¡esos carros realmente corren!
15. (to change)
a. cambiar
Public opinion has shifted since the last election.La opinión pública ha cambiado desde la última elección.
switch(
swihch
)A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
a. el interruptor (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
I fumbled for the light switch.Busqué a tientas el interruptor de la luz.
2. (change)
a. las agujas (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The switch didn't work on time and the train was sent north instead of south.Las agujas no funcionaron a tiempo y enviaron el tren hacia el norte en lugar del sur.
4. (stick)
a. la vara (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Teachers used to hit the backs of students' hands with a switch.Los profesores pegaban a los alumnos en el dorso de la mano con una vara.
5. (hair)
a. el postizo (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Laura used a switch to increase the length of her hair.Laura usaba un postizo para alargar su pelo.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. cambiar
Since I switched to online banking, I find it much easier.Desde que cambié a la banca online, lo encuentro todo más fácil.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
7. (to change)
a. cambiar de
Have you ever switched electricity supplier?¿Ha cambiado alguna vez de compañía eléctrica?
a. intercambiar
The twins switched their clothes during the party to see if people were able to tell them apart.Los gemelos intercambiaron su ropa durante la fiesta para ver si la gente podía distinguirlos.
