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"Velar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to keep vigil over", and "desvelar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to keep awake". Learn more about the difference between "velar" and "desvelar" below.
velar(
beh
-
lahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to keep vigil over
Rafael murió en la mañana, y por la tarde lo vamos a velar.Rafael died this morning, and this afternoon we are going to keep vigil over him.
La gente se dirigía al panteón para velar a sus seres queridos difuntos.The crowd was headed toward the cemetery to keep vigil over their deceased loved ones.
b. to have a wake for
Velamos a mi tío anoche, y estoy exhausto.We had a wake for my uncle last night, and I'm exhausted.
a. to sit up with
Julia veló a su hijo cuando estaba enfermo.Julia sat up with her son when he was sick.
a. to veil
Es costumbre velar la cara de la novia de camino al altar.It's tradition to veil the bride's face while she walks down the aisle.
6. (to envy) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. to eye with envy
Muchos de mis amigos comenzaron a velar mi casa. Se volvieron celosos.Many of my friends started to eye my house with envy. They became jealous.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to stay awake
Horacio veló toda la noche esperando una llamada de su novia.Horacio stayed awake all night waiting for a call from his girlfriend.
b. to watch over
La señora Moreno vela por los niños del barrio.Mrs. Moreno watches over the neighborhood children.
d. to ensure that
Para velar que nadie se vaya borracho de la fiesta, el anfitrión recoge las llaves al llegar.To ensure that no one leaves the party drunk, the host takes their keys when they arrive.
e. to safeguard
Este nuevo organismo del gobierno existe para velar por los derechos de los indígenas.This new government body exists to safeguard the rights of indigenous peoples.
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
9. (anatomy)
a. velar
La boca de Enrique sufrió daño velar cuando chocó con una paleta en la boca.Enrique's mouth suffered velar damage when he crashed with a lollipop in his mouth.
10. (linguistics)
velarse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
a. to veil oneself
Aadila se ha velado desde que tenía 12 años.Aadila has veiled herself since she was 12 years old.
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
12. (photography)
a. to get exposed
El rollo se veló al pasar por los rayos X.The roll got exposed by passing through X-rays.
b. to get fogged
Se veló la imagen por un químico que se le cayó durante la revelación. The image got fogged by a chemical spilled during the developing process.
desvelar(
dehs
-
beh
-
lahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to reveal
Afortunadamente, un testigo pudo desvelar la identidad del atacante.Thankfully, a witness was able to reveal the attacker's identity.
b. to disclose
Los sospechosos de fraude tuvieron que desvelar sus registros bancarios a las autoridades.The fraud suspects had to disclose their bank records to the authorities.
c. to uncover
Los detectives lograron desvelar el misterio.The detectives were able to uncover the mystery.
desvelarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to be unable to get to sleep
Anoche me desvelé porque hacía muchísimo calor.Last night I was unable to get to sleep because it was really hot.
b. to stay awake
Mis amigas y yo nos desvelamos en la pijamada.My friends and I stayed awake at the sleepover.
a. to do one's utmost
Los voluntarios se desvelan para que las víctimas de la inundación reciban la ayuda.Volunteers are doing their utmost to make sure the flood victims receive aid.
b. to do one's best
Hay que desvelarse hasta alcanzar los sueños.We have to do our best until we achieve our dreams.
c. to make every effort
Mis padres se desvelaron para que yo pudiera ir a la universidad.My parents made every effort so that I could go to college.
