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"Tell" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "contar", and "watch" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "ver". Learn more about the difference between "tell" and "watch" below.
tell(
tehl
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
2. (to discern)
3. (to know)
a. saber
You can tell by the look in her eyes that she loves you.Puedes saber por su mirada que te quiere.
4. (to count)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
The nun tells her rosary beads every evening.Todas las noches, la monja reza el rosario.
There were a hundred guests all told.Había cien invitados en total.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
6. (to divulge)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
I won't tell Mom on you if you do me a favor.No me chivaré de ti a mamá si me haces un favor.
The agent asked her if she saw anything, but she was not willing to tell.El agente le preguntó si había visto algo, pero ella no lo quería decir.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Age tells when running a marathon.La edad pesa cuando corres un maratón.
Every answer tells in a job interview.Cada respuesta cuenta en una entrevista de trabajo.
watch(
wach
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to see)
a. vigilar
A teacher watches the students while they are taking the test.Un profesor vigila a los alumnos mientras hacen el examen.
a. vigilar
You'll need to watch your weight if you go on working at that cake shop.Tendrás que vigilar tu peso si sigues trabajando en esa pastelería.
b. tener cuidado con
You need to watch that dog. It doesn't like children.Hay que tener cuidado con ese perro; no le gustan los niños.
c. tener cuidado de
Watch you don't lose your wedding ring; it looks very loose.Ten cuidado de no perder la alianza; parece que te va grande.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
4. (to observe)
a. vigilar
I told my man to keep watching and call me with any news.Le dije a mi hombre que siguiera vigilando y que me llamara con cualquier novedad.
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
6. (wristwatch)
7. (vigilance)
a. la vigilancia (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 patient is under watch for Ebola.El paciente se encuentra bajo vigilancia por ébola.
a. la guardia (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).
Most of the watches in the Navy last four hours.La mayoría de las guardias en la Marina duran cuatro horas.
