This is the second edition on learning some common Spanish Expressions with Verbs. Don’t miss the first-part which focuses on the verbs: Acabar, Dar, Dejar, Echar, Haver and Hacer.

Today, we’ll focus on: Perder, Ponerse, Tener, Volver, and some other commonly used expressions.

(ponerse + adjective – to become)

Expressions with PERDER

echarse a perder – to be spoiled, to be ruined

perder cuidado – not to worry

perder de vista – to lose sight of

For example:

La leche se echó a perder . – The milk was spoiled.

– Pierda usted cuidado , todo saldrá bien. – Don’t worry, everything will turn out right.

– Lo siguieron, pero pronto lo perdieron de vista . – They followed him, but they soon lost sight of him.

Expressions with PONERSE

ponerse + adjective – to become, to turn

ponerse a + infinitive – to begin to, to set about

ponerse de acuerdo – to come to an agreement

For example:

Al oír la noticia, el niño se puso pálido . – On hearing the news, the child became pale.

– El día se puso gris . – The day turned grey.

– La alumna se puso a llorar . – The pupil began to cry.

– Por fin se pusieron de acuerdo . – Finally, they came to an agreement,

Expressions with TENER

tener (mucho) calor (frío) – to be (very) warm (cold)

tener cuidado – to be careful

tener dolor de cabeza (estómago, etc.) – to have a headache (stomach ache, etc.)

tener éxito – to be successful

tener ganas de – to feel like

tener (mucha) hambre (sed) – to be (very) hungry (thirsty)

tener la culpa (de) – to be to blame (for)

tener lugar – to take place

tener miedo de – to be afraid of

tener por – to consider

tener prisa – to be in a hurry

tener que ver con – to have to do with

tener (la) razón (no tener (la) razón) – to be right (to be wrong)

tener (mucho) sueño – to be (very) sleepy

tener (mucha) suerte – to be (very) lucky

tener vergüenza (de + infinitive) – to be ashamed (of)

For example:

Tenía calor y se quitó el suéter. – He was warm and took off his sweater.

– Tengan cuidado al cruzar la calle. – Be careful when crossing the street.

– Ayer tuve dolor de estómago . – Yesterday I had a stomach ache.

– Él tiene éxito en todo lo que hace. – He is successful in everything he does.

– A veces tengo ganas de bailar . – At times I feel like dancing.

– Cuando tengo sed , tomo agua. – When I am thirsty, I drink water .

– . El muchacho tiene la culpa de lo que pasó. – The boy is to blame for what happened.

– ¿Cuándo tendrá lugar la fiesta? – When will the party take place?

– El niño tiene miedo de la oscuridad . – The child is afraid of the dark.

– Lo tengo por persona honrada . – I consider him an honest person.

– Tenía prisa y no pude detenerme a platicar. – I was in a hurry and could not stop to chat.

– No tengo nada que ver con eso . – I have nothing to do with that.

– ¿ Tengo razón ? No, no tienes razón . – Am I right? No, you are wrong.

– María tenía sueño y se acostó. – Mary was sleepy and went to bed.

– No tuvo suerte y perdió el dinero. – He wasn’t lucky and lost the money.

– ¿No tienes vergüenza ? – Aren’t you ashamed?

(tener (mucho) sueño)

Expressions with VOLVER

volver a + infinitive – to … again

volver en sí – to regain consciousness, to come to

volverse + adjective – to become

For example:

El cantante volvió a cantar . – The singer sang again.

– El herido nunca volvió en sí . – The wounded man never regained consciousness.

– Mi papa se ha vuelto imposible . – My father has become impossible.

Here is a list of some expressions used with verbs that aren’t categorized, but are quite common in the Spanish language.

Other common verbal expressions

encogerse de hombros – to shrug one’s shoulders

guardar cama – to stay in bed

hacer saber – to inform, to let (someone) know

llegar a ser ­– to become, to get to be

llevar a cabo – to carry out, to carry through

oír decir que – to hear about

pensar + infinitive – to intend to

quedarse con – to keep, to hold on to

quedar en que … (quedar en + infinitive) – to agree that, to agree to

querer decir – to mean

sacar una fotografía – to take a picture

valer la pena – to be worthwhile

For example:

Al oír la noticia, solo se encogió de hombros . – On hearing the news, he only shrugged his shoulders.

– Tenía fiebre y tuvo que guardar cama por dos días. – He had a fever and had to stay in bed for two days.

– Me hizo saber que no volvía hoy. – He let me know that he wouldn’t return today.

– Después de muchos años de estudio, logró llegar a ser médico . – After many years of studying, he managed to become a doctor.

– El capitán llevó a cabo las órdenes del general. – The captain carried out the general’s orders.

– En la clase de historia oímos hablar de Simón Bolívar . – In history class, we heard about Simon Bolivar.

– Oí decir que te vas a Venezela. – I heard that you are going to Venezuela

– Pienso viajar a España este verano. – I intend to travel to Spain this summer.

– Se quedó con mi pluma. – He kept (walked off with) my pen.

– ¿ En qué quedaste con Miguel? – What did you and Miguel agree to?

– Quedamos en encontrarnos aquí. – We agree to meet here.

– ¿Qué quiere decir esta palabra? – What does this word mean?

– Me gusta sacar fotografías . – I like to take pictures.

– A veces vale la pena escuchar las noticias. – Sometimes it’s worthwhile to listen to the news.

photo credit: Albuquerque BioPark via photopin

photo credit: deadoll via photopin