Idiomatic expressions involving verbs

An idiom is a group of words whose meaning can not be derived from the application of the rules of grammar and the meaning of its individual components.

However, what is recognized as an idiom is to a great extent arbitrary and in the eye of the beholder. When the Spanish equivalent of an English expression departs from its simple translation there is a tendency by English speakers to call it an idiom, even though it may be perfectly natural to native Spanish speakers.

In this page we present idiomatic expressions involving verbs. Try to find the correct Spanish expressions equivalent to the given English sentences, knowing that straight translation will not do.

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Grammatical Notes

Question #1 - Gloss.?

Question #2 - Gloss.?

Question #3 - Gloss.?

Question #4 - Gloss.?

Question #5 - Gloss.?

Question #6 - Gloss.?

Question #7 - Gloss.?

Question #8 - Gloss.?

Question #9 - Gloss.?

Question #10 - Gloss.?

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Not a valid choice.

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Improper use of needed idiomatic expression.

Back to question 1

Not a valid choice.

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Improper use of needed idiomatic expression.

Back to question 1

Correct!

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Proper use of idiomatic expression with verb 'hacer'.

Some idiomatic expressions with hacer are:

hace frío/ calor/ fresco (it's cold/ hot/ cool)

hace sol/ viento (it's sunny/ windy)

hace buen tiempo (it's nice out)

hace una hora que... (it's one hour that...)

hacer leer a alguien... (have somebody read...)

Hints?

Back to question 1

Not a valid choice.

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Improper use of needed idiomatic expression.

Back to question 2

Correct!

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Proper use of idiomatic expression with verb 'tener'.

Some idiomatic expressions with tener are:

Tener frío/ calor (to be cold/ hot)

Tener hambre/ sed/ sueño (to be hungry/ thirsty/ sleepy)

Tener éxito/ suerte (to be successfull/ lucky)

Tener razón/ cuidado/ prisa (to be right/ careful/ in a hurry)

Tener miedo/ vergüenza (to be afraid/ embarrased)

Tener lugar... (to take place...)

Hints?

Back to question 2

Not a valid choice.

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Improper use of needed idiomatic expression.

Back to question 2

Not a valid choice.

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Improper use of needed idiomatic expression.

Back to question 3

Not a valid choice.

---

Improper use of needed idiomatic expression.

Back to question 3

Correct!

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Proper use of idiomatic expression with verb 'tener'.

Some idiomatic expressions with tener are:

Tener frío/ calor (to be cold/ hot)

Tener hambre/ sed/ sueño (to be hungry/ thirsty/ sleepy)

Tener éxito/ suerte (to be successfull/ lucky)

Tener razón/ cuidado/ prisa (to be right/ careful/ in a hurry)

Tener miedo/ vergüenza (to be afraid/ embarrased)

Tener lugar... (to take place...)

Hints?

Back to question 3

Not a valid choice.

---

Improper use of needed idiomatic expression.

Back to question 4

Not a valid choice.

---

Improper use of needed idiomatic expression.

Back to question 4

Correct!

---

Proper use of idiomatic expression with verb 'hacer'.

Some idiomatic expressions with hacer are:

hace frío/ calor/ fresco (it's cold/ hot/ cool)

hace sol/ viento (it's sunny/ windy)

hace buen tiempo (it's nice out)

hace una hora que... (it's one hour that...)

hacer leer a alguien... (have somebody read...)

Hints?

Back to question 4

Not a valid choice.

---

Improper use of needed idiomatic expression.

Back to question 5

Not a valid choice.

---

Improper use of needed idiomatic expression.

Back to question 5

Correct!

---

Proper use of idiomatic expression with verb 'hacer'.

Some idiomatic expressions with hacer are:

hace frío/ calor/ fresco (it's cold/ hot/ cool)

hace sol/ viento (it's sunny/ windy)

hace buen tiempo (it's nice out)

hace una hora que... (it's one hour that...)

hacer leer a alguien... (have somebody read...)

Hints?

Back to question 5

Not a valid choice.

---

Improper use of needed idiomatic expression.

Back to question 6

Not a valid choice.

---

Improper use of needed idiomatic expression.

Back to question 6

Correct!

---

Proper use of idiomatic expression with verb 'tener'.

Some idiomatic expressions with tener are:

Tener frío/ calor (to be cold/ hot)

Tener hambre/ sed/ sueño (to be hungry/ thirsty/ sleepy)

Tener éxito/ suerte (to be successfull/ lucky)

Tener razón/ cuidado/ prisa (to be right/ careful/ in a hurry)

Tener miedo/ vergüenza (to be afraid/ embarrased)

Tener lugar... (to take place...)

Hints?

Back to question 6

Not a valid choice.

---

Improper use of needed idiomatic expression.

Back to question 7

Correct!

---

Proper use of idiomatic expression with verb 'tener'.

Some idiomatic expressions with tener are:

Tener frío/ calor (to be cold/ hot)

Tener hambre/ sed/ sueño (to be hungry/ thirsty/ sleepy)

Tener éxito/ suerte (to be successfull/ lucky)

Tener razón/ cuidado/ prisa (to be right/ careful/ in a hurry)

Tener miedo/ vergüenza (to be afraid/ embarrased)

Tener lugar... (to take place...)

Hints?

Back to question 7

Not a valid choice.

---

Improper use of needed idiomatic expression.

Back to question 7

Not a valid choice.

---

Improper use of idiomatic expression for English verb 'become'.

Back to question 8

Not a valid choice.

---

Improper use of idiomatic expression for English verb 'become'.

Back to question 8

Correct!

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Proper use of idiomatic expression for English verb 'become'.

When translating a word care should be taken to distinguish shades of meaning which are differentiated in the other language but ignored in English.

Become is an example. It has three different meanings which require to be translated to three different idiomatic expressions in Spanish.

In the sense of 'change due to one's efforts' it requires hacerse.

In the sense of 'temporary change' it requires ponerse.

In the sense of 'permanent change' it requires volverse.

Hints?

Back to question 8

Not a valid choice.

---

Improper use of idiomatic expression for English verb 'become'.

Back to question 9

Correct!

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Proper use of idiomatic expression for English verb 'become'.

When translating a word care should be taken to distinguish shades of meaning which are differentiated in the other language but ignored in English.

Become is an example. It has three different meanings which require to be translated to three different idiomatic expressions in Spanish.

In the sense of 'change due to one's efforts' it requires hacerse.

In the sense of 'temporary change' it requires ponerse.

In the sense of 'permanent change' it requires volverse.

Hints?

Back to question 9

Not a valid choice.

---

Improper use of idiomatic expression for English verb 'become'.

Back to question 9

Correct!

---

Proper use of idiomatic expression for English verb 'become'.

When translating a word care should be taken to distinguish shades of meaning which are differentiated in the other language but ignored in English.

Become is an example. It has three different meanings which require to be translated to three different idiomatic expressions in Spanish.

In the sense of 'change due to one's efforts' it requires hacerse.

In the sense of 'temporary change' it requires ponerse.

In the sense of 'permanent change' it requires volverse.

Hints?

Back to question 10

Not a valid choice.

---

Improper use of idiomatic expression for English verb 'become'.

Back to question 10

Not a valid choice.

---

Improper use of idiomatic expression for English verb 'become'.

Back to question 10

Grammatical notes for the drills in this page.

An idiom is a group of words whose meaning can not be derived from the application of the rules of grammar and the meaning of its individual components.

However, what is recognized as an idiom is to a great extent arbitrary and in the eye of the beholder. When the Spanish equivalent of an English expression departs from its simple translation there is a tendency by English speakers to call it an idiom, even though it may be perfectly natural to native Spanish speakers.

In this page we present idiomatic expressions involving verbs. Try to find the correct Spanish expressions equivalent to the given English sentences, knowing that straight translation will not do.

The items covered are:

1)- The use of needed idiomatic expression.

By their very nature idiomatic expressions defy explanations, especially for the non natives. Become familiar with them through continuous exposure and practice, by trying again and again.

2)- The use of idiomatic expression with verb 'hacer'.

Some idiomatic expressions with hacer are:

hace frío/ calor/ fresco (it's cold/ hot/ cool)

hace sol/ viento (it's sunny/ windy)

hace buen tiempo (it's nice out)

hace una hora que... (it's one hour that...)

hacer leer a alguien... (have somebody read...)

3)- The use of idiomatic expression with verb 'tener'.

Some idiomatic expressions with tener are:

Tener frío/ calor (to be cold/ hot)

Tener hambre/ sed/ sueño (to be hungry/ thirsty/ sleepy)

Tener éxito/ suerte (to be successfull/ lucky)

Tener razón/ cuidado/ prisa (to be right/ careful/ in a hurry)

Tener miedo/ vergüenza (to be afraid/ embarrased)

Tener lugar... (to take place...)

4)- The use of idiomatic expression for English verb 'become'.

When translating a word care should be taken to distinguish shades of meaning which are differentiated in the other language but ignored in English.

Become is an example. It has three different meanings which require to be translated to three different idiomatic expressions in Spanish.

In the sense of 'change due to one's efforts' it requires hacerse.

In the sense of 'temporary change' it requires ponerse.

In the sense of 'permanent change' it requires volverse.

Back to question 1

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Glossary for question #1 - Back to question?

Glossary for question #2 - Back to question?

Glossary for question #3 - Back to question?

Glossary for question #4 - Back to question?

Glossary for question #5 - Back to question?

Glossary for question #6 - Back to question?

Glossary for question #7 - Back to question?

Glossary for question #8 - Back to question?

Glossary for question #9 - Back to question?

Glossary for question #10 - Back to question?

• Copyright 1996 Samuel Schiminovich.

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