The Spanish language has some verb pairs that mean the same in English, but cannot be interchanged. That can be confusing for English native speakers who are trying to learn Spanish. The following is a list, by no means exhaustive, that will help avoid the most frequent mistakes nonnative speakers make.Tocar vs. Jugar (to play)
Jugar is used when referring to playing a sport or game.
Juego al tenis todos los sábados. I play tennis every Saturday.
¿Quieres jugar a las cartas conmigo? Do you want to play cards with me?
Juego al tenis todos los sábados. I play tennis every Saturday.
¿Quieres jugar a las cartas conmigo? Do you want to play cards with me?
Tocar is used when referring to playing an instrument or style of music.
Me gusta tocar el piano. I like to play the piano.
Admiro mucho a los grupos que tocan música contemporánea. I admire bands that play contemporary music.
Tocar also means to touch.
Mi madre tocó mi cabeza mientras dormía. My mother touched my head while I was sleeping.
¡No toques el cuadro! Don´t touch the painting.
Mi madre tocó mi cabeza mientras dormía. My mother touched my head while I was sleeping.
¡No toques el cuadro! Don´t touch the painting.
Saber vs. Conocer (to know)
Saber is used to indicate that you know a fact, know something thoroughly (subject, discipline), or know how to do something. Yo sé donde vive Josefina. I know where Josefina lives.
Adam sabe mucho español. Adam knows lots of Spanish.
Yo sé conducir muy bien. I know how to drive very well.
Conocer is used to state that you are or are not acquainted with a person, a place, or an object.
Yo no conozco a Josefina. I don't know (am not acquainted with) Josefina.
Julio y Manuel conocen Perú. Julio and Manuel know (are acquainted with)
Salir vs. Dejar (to leave)
Use salir to express that you are exiting or going away.
El avión sale a las nueve. The airplane leaves at nine.
Yo salgo del trabajo a las cinco. I leave work at five.
But if you are leaving an object somewhere, use dejar.
Dejé mis libros en el tren. I left my books on the train.
Preguntar vs. Pedir (to ask)
Preguntar is used to ask a question or request information.
Pregunto qué hora es. I ask what time it is.
Use pedir to ask for, or request an object, service or favor.
Pedimos más ensalada. We order more salad.
Pido permiso a mi padre para ir a la fiesta. I ask my father for permission to go to the party.
To learn more about verb pairs in Spanish, check Amsco´s Spanish First, Second, and Third Year series or the Spanish Is Fun series.
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