A phrasal verb is a combination of a verb and another element (an adverb or a preposition) which changes the meaning of the original verb. It is also necessary to learn phrasal verbs so that you can easily express your idea. In this lesson, we will show you a list of most common phrasal verbs in Spanish.
Most common Spanish phrasal verbs you need to know
Echar a - start to/begin to
Echar a is used with verbs of movement.
For example:
Pero cuando me di cuenta de lo fáciles que son, me eché a llorar - But when I realized how easy they were, I began to cry.
Dejar de - fail to/stop/neglect to
For example:
Así que me dije—”¡Deja de estudiar!” - So I told myself, “Stop studying!”
Volver a - begin to do something again
For example:
Así que volví a estudiarlos - So I started to study them again
Estar para - to be about to (Spain)/to be in the mood for (Latin America)
For example:
Ahora estoy para ir a España y practicar lo que aprend - Now I’m about to travel to Spain and practice what I learned
No estoy para chistes - I'm not in the mood for jokes
See: Estar in Spanish
Estar por - to be in favor of (Spain)/to be about to (Latin America)
Tener que - have to
Tengo que sacar la basura - I have to take the trash out
Pensar de - think about/have an opinion about
Use this phrasal verb if you want to express your opinion or what you think about something
For example:
¿Qué piensas de la chica de los tacones azules? - What do you think about the girl with the blue heels?
Pensar en - think of
This is different from pensar de as it implies intention. You should use this to express what is occupying your thoughts.
For example:
No puedo dejar de pensar en ti - (I can’t stop thinking about you
Soñar con - dream about
Soñé con bailar con ella toda la noche - I dreamed about dancing with her all night
Contar con - rely on/count on
Sabía que podía contar con él - I knew I could count on him
Reírse de - make fun of/laugh at
Meaning: to make fun of, to laugh at
Mi novia se rió de mí - My girlfriend was laughing at me
Alegrarse de - to be glad to
Me alegro de hacer las paces con mi novia - I’m glad to make peace with my girlfriend
Dejar de - give up
Dejé de fumar hace un año - I gave up smoking a year ago
Enamorarse de - fall in love with someone
La audiencia debe enamorarse de usted - The audience must fall in love with you
Casarse con - marry
If you want to indicate that a person got married to someone, add con behind casarse.
Debe casarse con ella - You ought to marry her
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