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"Suponer" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to suppose", and "deber" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to owe". Learn more about the difference between "suponer" and "deber" below.
suponer(
soo
-
poh
-
nehr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to think)
a. to suppose
Supongo que el examen no te será muy difícil con notas así.I suppose that the exam won't be very difficult for you with grades like that.
b. to assume
Suponiendo que lleguen tarde, ¿qué hacemos mientras tanto?Assuming they are late, what can we do in the meantime?
c. to imagine
Supón que ganemos la lotería, podríamos comprar todas las donas del mundo.Imagine if we won the lottery; we could buy all the donuts in the world.
a. to imagine
Lo suponía mucho más rico de lo que es.I imagined he was much richer than he actually is.
3. (to imply)
a. to mean
Una falta repentina de fondos supondría el final del proyecto.A sudden lack of funds would mean the end of the project.
suponerse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
4. (to think)
deber(
deh
-
behr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
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.).
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 masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
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.
6. (education)
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.).
a. to be due to
Esta situación se debe a la falta de información.This situation is due to a lack of information.
