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"Work out" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "hacer ejercicio", and "figure out" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "resolver". Learn more about the difference between "work out" and "figure out" below.
work out(
wuhrk
aut
)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.).
1. (to train)
a. hacer ejercicio
I work out three days a week at the gym.Hago ejercicio tres días a la semana en el gimnasio.
b. entrenar
I have to work out at home because the gym is closed.Tengo que entrenar en casa porque el gimnasio está cerrado.
2. (to succeed)
a. salir bien
Fortunately, things worked out for me and Laura.Por suerte, todo salió bien entre Laura y yo.
b. terminar bien
So, did things work out between your mom and your wife?Dime, ¿terminaron bien las cosas entre tu mamá y tu esposa?
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.).
a. resolver
My roommate and I need to work things out.Mi compañero de cuarto y yo necesitamos resolver nuestra situación.
a. calcular
Did you work out how much money we need to go to Las Vegas for a week?¿Ya calculaste cuánto dinero necesitamos para ir a Las Vegas por una semana?
5. (to devise)
a. idear
A group of prisoners worked out a plan to escape from jail.Un grupo de prisioneros ideó un plan para escapar de la cárcel.
7. (to exhaust)
a. agotar
When the miners worked out the mine, they became unemployed.Cuando los mineros agotaron la mina, se quedaron sin trabajo.
figure out(
fih
-
gyuhr
aut
)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.).
1. (to solve)
a. resolver
The first one to figure out the problem gets a prize.El primero que resuelva el problema, se gana un premio.
b. descifrar
Sherlock Holmes figured out the mystery of the stolen jewelry.Sherlock Holmes descifró el misterio de las joyas robadas.
c. calcular (in mathematics)
Figure out the sum of the inner angles of the polygon.Calcula la suma de los ángulos interiores del polígono.
a. entender
The instructions shouldn't be this difficult. I'm really struggling to figure them out.Las instrucciones no deberían ser tan difícles. Me está costando bastante entenderlas.
