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"Speed up" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "acelerar", and "speed" is a noun which is often translated as "la velocidad". Learn more about the difference between "speed up" and "speed" below.
speed up(
spid
 
uhp
)
An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
intransitive verb phrase
a. acelerar (vehicle)
Every time I tried to pass him, the car in front sped up.El auto que tenía delante aceleraba cada vez que intentaba adelantarlo.
b. acelerarse (process)
Warm weather causes plant growth to speed up.Cuando hace calor, el crecimiento de las plantas se acelera.
c. darse prisa (person)
If you don't speed up, we'll never get there in time.Si no te das prisa, es imposible que lleguemos a tiempo.
d. apresurarse (person)
I speeded up when I realized I didn't have enough time to finish the exam.Me apresuré al darme cuenta de que no iba a tener tiempo de acabar el examen.
e. apurarse (person)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
(Latin America)
I wish the people in front would speed up. I hate dawdling along.¿Por qué no se apurarán los de adelante? Odio ir tan despacio.
f. apretar el paso (person on foot)
The man sped up when he realized I was following him.El hombre apretó el paso al darse cuenta de que yo lo seguía.
A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
transitive verb phrase
a. acelerar (process)
The government wants to speed up the implementation of the new law.El gobierno quiere acelerar la implementación de la nueva ley.
b. meter prisa a (a person or an animal)
I tried to speed the cows up by prodding them with a stick.Intenté meter prisa a las vacas dándoles con un palo.
c. apresurar (a person or an animal)
Richard won't be sped up. He likes to do things at his own pace.Richard no se deja apresurar. Le gusta hacer las cosas a su ritmo.
d. apurar (a person or an animal)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
(Latin America)
The builders are taking too long over this job. Is there any way we can speed them up?Los albañiles están tardando mucho en terminar el trabajo. ¿Hay alguna manera de apurarlos?
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speed(
spid
)
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
noun
a. la velocidad
(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).
(F)
Communication travels at the speed of light in the twenty-first century.La comunicación viaja a la velocidad de la luz en el siglo veintiuno.
b. la rapidez
(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).
(F)
We must increase the speed of the approval process for clinical trials.Hay que aumentar la rapidez del proceso de aprobación de los ensayos clínicos.
a. la velocidad
(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).
(F)
Brian got a 7-speed bike for Christmas.Brian recibió una bici de 7 velocidades en Navidad.
b. la marcha
(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).
(F)
Her new car has a five-speed transmission.Su nuevo coche tiene una transmisión de cinco marchas.
3.
A very informal word or phrase used by a particular group or community as a substitute for standard language (e.g., joint, john).
(slang)
(amphetamine)
a. las anfetas
(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).
(F)
They arrested him for dealing speed.Lo arrestaron por vender anfetas.
b. el speed
(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).
(M)
I heard she overdosed on speed.Oí que tomó una sobredosis de speed.
c. las anfetaminas
(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).
(F)
Sadly, the onset age of speed consumption has dropped.Lamentablemente, la edad de inicio del consumo de anfetaminas ha bajado.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. pasar a toda velocidad
The kids sped by us on their sleds.Los niños nos pasaron a toda velocidad sobre sus trineos.
b. apresurarse
When you speed through your work, the quality suffers.Cuando te apresuras a hacer el trabajo, sufre la calidad.
a. exceder el límite de velocidad
There are automatic cameras that give you a ticket if you speed.Hay cámaras automáticas que te dan una infracción si excedes el límite de velocidad.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. acelerar
We need to speed up the process if we want to finish on time.Tenemos que acelerar el proceso si queremos terminar a tiempo.
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