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"Vencer" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to defeat", and "ganar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to win". Learn more about the difference between "vencer" and "ganar" below.
vencer(
behn
-
sehr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to defeat
Harry venció a Lord Voldemort utilizando las tres reliquias de la muerte.Harry defeated Lord Voldemort using all three of the deathly hallows.
b. to beat
Tienes que desarrollar tu juego de apertura para vencer a un maestro de ajedrez.You must develop your opening game to beat a chess master.
c. to conquer
Como dijo Julio César: "Vine, vi y vencí".Like Julius Caesar said: "I came, I saw, and I conquered."
a. to overcome
Vencí mi cansancio y logré trabajar toda la noche.I overcame my tiredness and managed to work through the night.
b. to conquer
Hice un salto en paracaídas para vencer mi miedo a las alturas.I did a parachute jump to conquer my fear of heights.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
3. (to triumph)
b. to be victorious
"¡Venceremos!", gritaron los soldados al asaltar el campo de batalla."We will be victorious!", shouted the soldiers as they stormed the battlefield.
a. to be due
La primera letra vence el 15 de enero, y la segunda el 30.The first installment is due on January 15, and the second one on the 30th.
vencerse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to give way
Esta viga se está venciendo bajo el peso del edificio.This beam is giving way under the weight of the building.
a. to expire
Mi licencia se vence este fin de semana así que mañana voy para renovarlo. My license expires this weekend so tomorrow I'm going in to renew it.
ganar(
gah
-
nahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to obtain)
a. to win
Gané la lotería dos veces jugando con los mismos números.I won the lottery twice by playing the same set of numbers.
3. (to defeat)
a. to beat
Por fin le gané a mi papá en una partida de ajedrez.I finally beat my dad in a game of chess.
4. (to seize)
5. (to get to)
a. to save (space or time)
Ganarías espacio si sacaras este sillón viejo de la sala.You'd save some space if you got that old sofa out of the living room.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
7. (to benefit)
a. to gain
He ganado mucho por hablar con un experto como usted.I have gained a lot by talking with an expert like you.
a. to make
Mi esposo no gana suficientemente en su trabajo.My husband doesn't make enough in his job.
10. (to increase)
a. to benefit
La fundación ganará con su generosa donación.The foundation will benefit with your generous donation.
ganarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
11. (to secure)
a. to earn
Se ganó el amor del pueblo con sus discursos.She earned the love of the people with her speeches.
