darle algo a alguien

to give something to someone

USAGE NOTE

The indefinite pronouns "algo" ("something") and "alguien" ("someone") can be replaced in this phrase with a noun, a pronoun, a phrase, etc., as shown in the examples.

darle algo a alguien(dahr-leh ahl-goh ah ahl-gyehn)

intransitive verb phrase

1. (to hand over something to someone)

a. to give something to someone

Cuando le das algo a alguien, la otra persona está en su derecho de no aceptarlo.

When you give something to someone, the other person has the right not to accept it.

b.

no direct translation

Le di cinco dólares a mi hijo para que se comprara caramelos.

I gave my son five dollars to buy some candy.

Me gusta mucho la pulsera que le diste a Eugenia por su cumpleaños.

I really like the bracelet you gave Eugenia for her birthday.

2. (to suffer someone an attack)

a. to have someone a fit

En esa época, cuando le daba algo a alguien, le traían rápidamente un frasquito de sales para reanimarlo.

Back then, when someone had a fit, they immediately brought a bottle of smelling salts to revive them.

b.

no direct translation

Casi me da un ataque cuando volví de vacaciones y me encontré con que habían entrado los ladrones.

I nearly died when I came back from my vacation to find that thieves had broken in.

A Marta le dio un patatús cuando se enteró de que Antonio y yo estábamos saliendo.

Marta had a fit when she found out that Antonio and I were dating.

c.

no direct translation

Me gustaría hacer un curso de primeros auxilios para saber qué hacer si le da algo a alguien.

I'd like to do a first aid course to know what to do if something happens to someone.

Si mi padre se entera de que hemos estado usando su cámara, le da algo.

If my father finds out that we've been using his camera, he'll have a fit.