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"Solucionar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to solve", and "curar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to cure". Learn more about the difference between "solucionar" and "curar" below.
solucionar(
soh
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loo
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syoh
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nahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to solve
Para solucionar este problema, necesitas saber sacar la raíz cuadrada de un número.In order to solve this problem, you need to know how to find the square root of a number.
a. to resolve
La aerolínea solucionó la situación del retraso ofreciendo a cada pasajero un reembolso.The airline resolved the situation of the delay by offering a refund to each passenger.
b. to settle
Nos tenemos que escuchar si vamos a solucionar nuestra discusión.We have to listen to each other if we are going to settle our argument.
curar(
koo
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rahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (medicine)
a. to cure
El oncólogo no pudo curar el cáncer que tenía.The oncologist couldn't cure the cancer she had.
d. to dress (with a bandage)
Curó el corte que tenía en el dedo con una venda.She dressed the wound that he had on his finger with a bandage.
2. (culinary)
a. to cure
Aprendí a curar jamón cuando vivía en La Mancha.I learned how to cure ham when I was living in La Mancha.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
4. (medicine)
a. to get better
Me alegra verte recuperado; pensé que nunca curarías.I'm glad to see you up and about; I thought you weren't going to get better.
b. to recover
Ya ha curado, pero aún no ha vuelto al trabajo.She's recovered now, but still hasn't gone back to work.
curarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
5. (medicine)
a. to get better
Espero que tu hermano se cure pronto. Estamos todos rezando por él.I hope your brother gets better soon. We're all praying for him.
b. to recover
Una vez que se cure de la torcedura de tobillo, podrá volver a jugar fútbol.Once he recovers from the ankle sprain, he'll be able to go back to playing soccer.
6. (to get intoxicated) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. to get drunk
Salió para curarse con sus amigos tras romper con su novia.He went out to get drunk with his friends after breaking up with his girlfriend.