tardar en

tardar en(
tahr
-
dahr
 
ehn
)
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.).
transitive verb phrase
a. to take...to
Los estibadores tardaron seis horas en descargar el barco.The stevedores took six hours to unload the ship.
b.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
Si me esperan, me voy con ustedes. No tardo nada en arreglarme.If you wait for me, I'll go with you. I'll be ready in no time.
Tardamos un buen rato en convencer a mi padre de que nos dejara salir.It took us a while to persuade my father to let us go out.
a. to take...to
Le mandé un email a Ana y tardó una semana en contestarme.I sent an email to Ana and she took a week to answer.
b.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
Tardé mucho en darme cuenta de que me estaban engañando, y para entonces ya lo había perdido todo.It took me a long time to realize that they were deceiving me, and I'd lost everything by then.
Llamamos al técnico de la lavadora y tardó tres días en venir.We called the washing machine repair man, and it was three days before he came.
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