Your Information to Translating ‘Use’ in Spanish Appropriately
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The verb usar (to make use of) in Spanish is a vital phrase to be taught as you’ll use it usually to speak about objects, garments, and giving and understanding directions of all types. This easy-to-understand cognate and an everyday -AR verb in Spanish does, nevertheless, have some key variations you’ll want to recollect as you translate some frequent phrases and phrases that embody the phrase “use” in English.
Study to conjugate the verb usar, plus see learn how to say phrases and phrases related to “use” in Spanish, clarifying the nuances of this phrase in each languages.
When to decide on usar
The makes use of of usar are pretty easy and much like English. Select this verb to debate:
- Instruments and directions
- El libro cube que necesitas usar un destornillador. = The guide says you want to make use of a screwdriver.
- Know-how
- Su abuela aprende a usar la computadora. = Her grandmother is studying to make use of the pc.
- Cooking
- Vamos a usar este cucharón para revolver. = We’re going to make use of this ladle to stir.
- Security and guidelines
- Esta salida sólo puede usarse si hay fuego. = This exit can solely be used if there’s a fireplace.
- Ella le muestra a su hija cómo usar el cinturón de seguridad. = She exhibits her daughter how to make use of the seatbelt.
- Design and artwork
- Ellos no están de acuerdo sobre el shade que van a usar. = They don’t agree on the colour they’re going to make use of.
As well as, Spanish-speakers could use the verb usar when discussing clothes and look instead of extra particular verbs like llevar puesto (to put on/to have on), or tener (to have). If you happen to get pleasure from speaking about vogue, or when you simply have to know what to pack for sensible causes, the verb usar shall be useful.
- Marisol usa una falda larga y una blusa elegante. = Marisol is carrying an extended skirt and a sublime shirt.
- Los alumnos deberían usar ropa cómoda. = The scholars ought to put on snug clothes.
Along with usar (to make use of), you may as well say ir (to go) when asking “can I take advantage of the toilet” in Spanish. The most effective one to make use of is the one which comes most naturally to you whenever you want this expression.
- Tengo que ir al baño. = I’ve to go to (use) the toilet.
- ¿Puedo usar el baño? = Can I use the toilet?
Conjugating the verb usar
Usar is an everyday -AR verb in the entire fundamental Spanish tenses. As you get used to conjugating common verbs like usar, you’ll be capable to apply the identical patterns to many different verbs. This shall be invaluable as you create your individual sentences, since you’ll come again to this sample time and again.
usar (to make use of) current tense
| yo uso | I take advantage of | nosotros usamos | we use |
| tú usas | you utilize (casual) | vosotros usáis | you utilize (casual, plural, Spain solely) |
| él/ella usa usted usa | he/she makes use of you utilize (formal) | ellos/ellas usan ustedes usan | they use you utilize (plural) |
- Yo uso esta máquina para hacer libros. = I use this machine to make books.
- Si apagas las luces, la cantidad de electricidad que usas disminuirá. = If you happen to flip off the lights, the quantity of electrical energy you use will lower.
- El granjero usa el tractor para plantar semillas. = The farmer makes use of the tractor to plant seeds.
- Ellos usan martillos. = They use hammers.
How do you say ‘used’ in Spanish?
The phrase “used” in English has a number of totally different meanings. Relying on the a part of speech and what you imply to say, “used” in Spanish could possibly be a preterite tense type like usé (I used), the adjective type like usado (beforehand used/second-hand), or could possibly be part of the imperfect tense, as in yo corría (I used to run). Your supposed which means will decide the shape you’ll use in Spanish.
Usar within the Spanish preterite tense
The Spanish preterite tense expresses a accomplished motion previously.
- Mi esposo usó la llave y los alicates para arreglarla. = My husband used the wrench and the pliers to repair it.
- Los franceses disminuyeron la cantidad de electricidad que usaron el año pasado. = The French decreased the quantity of electrical energy that they used final 12 months.
Usar within the Spanish imperfect tense
The imperfect tense is the right tense to make use of in Spanish when you’re describing an ongoing motion or state previously.
- Él tuvo un accidente. Afortunadamente, usaba el cinturón de seguridad. = He had an accident. Happily, he was carrying his seatbelt.
What’s ‘used to’ in Spanish?
One other uso (use) of the Spanish imperfect tense is to debate routine or repeated actions previously. A method English audio system specific that is with the phrase “used to.”
In Spanish, the primary verb is used within the imperfect. Share your nostalgia of childhood with a Spanish-speaking pal, and evaluate the way you spent your time previously to follow these types.
- Antes pasaba mucho tiempo mirando televisión. = Up to now, I used to spend a variety of time watching tv.
- Yo tenía una bicicleta. = I used to have a bicycle.
- Yo jugaba al fútbol aquí. = I used to play soccer right here.
That is distinct from “one thing is used to do one thing else,” which might be translated as usado para + infinitive verb.
- Estas latas son recicladas. El steel será usado para hacer nuevas latas. = These cans are recycled. The steel shall be used to make new cans.
The Spanish adjective usado/usada
Gadgets which have been beforehand used or are second-hand are usado (used). You’ll know which type to make use of in Spanish by following a easy grammar rule about Spanish adjectives: They all the time agree in gender and quantity with the noun they’re describing.
| Spanish Instance | English Which means | Gender/Quantity |
| Busco un coche usado. | I’m on the lookout for a used automotive. | masculine singular |
| Prefiero comprar ropa usada porque es menos cara. | I favor to purchase used clothes as a result of it’s inexpensive. | female singular |
| Limpia esos trapos usados. | Wash these used rags. | masculine plural |
| Puedes reciclar las bolsas usadas aquí. | You’ll be able to recycle the used luggage right here. | female plural |
An alternate, particularly when you’re hoping to save cash or be a extra accountable client, is de segunda mano (second-hand). This invariable phrase doesn’t change type.
- Me gustan las librerías de segunda mano. = I like second–hand guide retailers.
The Spanish noun el uso
Stemming from the verb “to make use of” in Spanish is the noun el uso (the use) or un uso (a use). Nouns are sometimes preceded by Spanish particular and indefinite articles which rely on what you’re speaking. You’ll be able to perceive guidelines and procedures, and educational texts about language with the noun uso, as in these examples.
- El uso de móviles durante el examen está prohibido. = The use of cell telephones throughout the examination is prohibited.
- Esta lección es sobre el uso de por vs para. = This lesson is about the use of por vs para.
- Uno de los usos de la coma en español es para indicar una pausa. = One of the makes use of of the comma in Spanish is to point a pause.
- Intento evitar los plásticos de un solo uso. = I attempt to keep away from single-use plastics.
The way to say ‘to get used to’ in Spanish
The English phrase “to get used to” means to turn out to be conversant in one thing. The most typical translation in Spanish can be acostumbrarse, however there are just a few extra choices so that you can select from. Some methods to specific this concept embody these Spanish reflexive verbs:
| Spanish Verb | Spanish Instance | English Which means |
| acostumbrarse | ¿Te has acostumbrado al cambio de hora? | Have you ever gotten used to the time change? |
| familiarizarse | Los niños aún se están familiarizando con su nuevo hogar. | The youngsters are nonetheless getting used to their new dwelling. |
| habituarse | En una nueva cultura, se necesita tiempo para habituarse. | In a brand new tradition, you want time to get used to it. |
You may also use estar and the adjective types of acostumbrado to say “for use to.”
- La profesora no está acostumbrada a enseñar alumnos de esta edad. = The instructor isn’t used to educating college students of this age.
- Todavía no estamos acostumbrados a conducir por la izquierda. = We’re nonetheless not used to driving on the left.
The way to say ‘helpful’ in Spanish
If you wish to describe one thing as “helpful” in Spanish, say útil (helpful). The type of this adjective is similar for each masculine and female singular nouns, however modifications to útiles whenever you describe plural nouns.
Key takeaways about ‘use’ in Spanish
Talk with confidence by noticing the phrase “use” in Spanish and the way its which means modifications in numerous tenses and contexts. Rosetta Stone’s Dynamic Immersion methodology is extraordinarily útil as a instrument to make a variety of progress shortly with nuanced phrases like this.
- Conjugate the verb usar (to make use of) within the applicable tense to speak about utilizing an object, instrument, or materials.
- “Used to” might be translated in a number of methods, so that you’ll want to concentrate to the context.
- The phrase for “second-hand” is usado, an adjective with 4 types relying on the gender and variety of the noun.
