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"Temblar" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to shake", and "tambalearse" is a pronominal verb which is often translated as "to stagger". Learn more about the difference between "temblar" and "tambalearse" below.
temblar(
tehm
-
blahr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
1. (to quake)
a. to shake
La Tierra comenzó a temblar y un ruido misterioso salió del suelo.The Earth began to shake and an eerie noise arose from the ground.
b. to shiver (from cold)
El viento que venía del lago la hizo temblar.The wind coming off the lake made her shiver.
c. to shudder
La máquina necesita mantenimiento para que deje de temblar.The machine needs maintenance so it stops shuddering.
d. to tremble
El niño empezó a temblar cuando la enfermera entró por la puerta con la enorme jeringuilla.The boy began to tremble when the nurse came through the door with the huge syringe.
a. to shudder
Sus padres temblaron al pensar en su hija viajando sola por Europa.Her parents shuddered to think of their daughter traveling alone around Europe.
tambalearse(
tahm
-
bah
-
leh
-
ahr
-
seh
)A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
1. (to teeter)
b. to lurch
El soldado herido se tambaleó hacia la retaguardia.The wounded soldier lurched towards the rear.
c. to sway
La camioneta se tambaleaba mientras cruzaba el terreno rocoso.The pickup truck swayed across the rocky terrain.
d. to wobble
Durante el terremoto, los muebles se tambalearon.The furniture wobbled during the earthquake.
2. (figurative) (to be unstable)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
a. to totter
La confianza en el gobierno se tambaleó con los continuos paros y protestas.The continuing protests and the strikes made the citizens' faith in the government totter.
b. to waver
El apoyo para la campaña presidencial de López se tambaleó cuando se bajó su vicepresidente.Support for López's presidential campaign wavered when his vice president stepped down.
c. to falter
Aunque no tenía chances de ganar, su determinación jamás se tambaleó.Although he had no chances of winning, his resolution never faltered.
