Transitive and Intransitive Verbs in Spanish
To know the difference between transitive and intransitive verbs is quite important so we can build sentences that sound correct as a non-native speaker.
What Are Transitive Verbs?
The definition of transitive verb is that it comes together with a direct complement (the object). Example of a transitive verb would be ‘conocer’ (to know/meet); it requires of a direct complement to be used.
What Are Intransitive Verbs?
On the other hand, an intransitive verb does not require of an object to have a meaning. For example: dormir (to sleep).
While some verbs can be used both ways, others can only (or most of the times) be transitive verb. That happens because they require of a complement. For example, entregar (to hand/give).
Besides, for some verbs the use of a direct complement (the object) may change the meaning of the sentence.
Examples in Sentences
The following is an example of how the meaning is completly different whether a verb is used as transitive or intranstive:
- He subido la cámara a la habitación – I took the camera to the bedroom upstairs
- He subido a la habitación – I went to the bedroom upstairs
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