Have you ever looked up the meaning of a verb in a Spanish dictionary? If so, you've probably come across the letters tr. and intr. before seeing the definition. These abbreviations have an essential meaning in Spanish verbs, indicating whether a verb is transitive or intransitive, which will help you distinguish between them and continue your adventure of learning Spanish in Spain.

At don Quijote, we'll tell you everything you need to know about Spanish transitive verbs, intransitive verbs, and copulative verbs, the differences between them, and examples so you know how to tell them apart. We'll also give you some exercises to practice!

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Spanish transitive verbs

Spanish transitive verbs are those that need a direct object to make sense in a sentence. Without the object, the sentence would be unclear or incomplete. Some of these verbs are comer (to eat), escribir (to write), comprar (to buy), and tocar (to touch).

These transitive verbs in Spanish, needing an object to have complete meaning, are always followed by a Spanish direct object.

Spanish intransitive verbs

Spanish intransitive verbs, on the other hand, do not need a complement to make sense. These verbs express an action that does not require a direct object, although they can take other types of complements. Some intransitive verbs in Spanish are: llegar (to arrive), nacer (to be born), caminar (to walk), and dormir (to sleep).

Copulative verbs in Spanish

Finally, Spanish copulative verbs are more special and there are only three: ser, estar, and parecer. These verbs do not express an action but rather link the subject with an attribute and do not need a complement because the actions take place on their own.

Thus, in Spanish copulative verbs, the essential element is not the action of the verb, but the attribute, which can be an adjective, noun, or pronoun, and which qualifies the subject.

Differences between transitive and intransitive verbs

It is important to learn to differentiate between Spanish transitive and intransitive verbs, especially if you need to perform a Spanish sentence analysis. Here are some tips to help you understand and learn to differentiate between these verbs:

Need for a direct object. Transitive verbs in Spanish always need a direct object to complete their meaning. Intransitive verbs in Spanish do not need this complement. For example:

• Laura lee un libro (Laura reads a book). In this sentence, the direct object is un libro (a book), so the verb is transitive.
• Pedro corre rápido (Pedro runs fast). In this sentence, there is no direct object, so the verb is intransitive.

Meaning of the action. While in transitive verbs in Spanish the action occurs to the direct object, in intransitive verbs in Spanish the action falls only on the subject. Examples:

• El niño rompió el vaso (The boy broke the glass). Here the action falls on the glass, which receives the action.
• El bebé llora (The baby cries). In this sentence, the action falls on the subject itself, that is, the baby.

Possibility of passive voice. Another trick is to convert the sentence into the passive voice to find out if the verb is transitive or intransitive. Spanish transitive verbs can be converted into passive sentences, but Spanish intransitive verbs cannot. Example:

• Maria escribió una carta (María wrote a letter): active voice
• Una carta fue escrita por María (A letter was written by María): passive voice

Common complements. If you analyze what type of complement the sentence has, you can figure out what type of verb it is. If you find direct, indirect, or circumstantial complements in a sentence, you are probably dealing with a Spanish transitive verb. Intransitive verbs in Spanish, on the other hand, are usually accompanied by circumstantial complements of place, time, manner, etc.

For example:

• Ana envió una carta a su amiga (Ana sent a letter to her friend). Spanish transitive verb because it is accompanied by a direct complement, una carta (a letter), and an indirect complement, a su amiga (to her friend).
• Ellos viajan en verano (They travel in summer). Spanish intransitive verb because it is accompanied by a circumstantial complement of time, en verano (in summer).

On the other hand, Spanish copulative verbs are easy to differentiate from the previous ones, as there are only three and they are very easy to identify. Remember that the copulative verbs are ser, estar, and parecer. For example:

• La casa es grande (The house is big)
• El café está caliente (The coffee is hot)
• Te pareces a tu padre (You look like your father)
• Mi hermana está trabajando (My sister is working)

Exercises with Spanish transitive and intransitive verbs

Once you have learned the definition of each type of verb, it's time to test your knowledge. Below are 12 sentences for you to determine whether the verb is transitive or intransitive. You will find the answers at the end of the article!

1. Juan lee un libro (Juan reads a book)
2. Nosotros viajamos a Madrid (We travel to Madrid)
3. El bebé duerme en su cuna (The baby sleeps in his crib)
4. María compra pan en la tienda (María buys bread at the store)
5. Ellos juegan en el parque (They play in the park)
6. Ana escribe una carta (Ana writes a letter)
7. Mi abuelo vive en un pueblo pequeño (My grandfather lives in a small town)
8. Pedro rompe el vaso (Pedro breaks the glass)
9. Carmen nada en la piscina (Carmen swims in the pool)
10. Laura toca la guitarra (Laura plays the guitar)
11. Invitaron a todos sus amigos a la fiesta (They invited all their friends to the party)
12. Tardamos cuatro horas en llegar a nuestro destino (It took us four hours to reach our destination)

Were you able to identify the transitive and intransitive verbs? Keep practicing to master verbs and achieve the level of Spanish you've always dreamed of. And if you need help and want to get to know a city in Spain better, with don Quiote's intensive Spanish courses, everything is at your fingertips.

Venture into Spanish and discover all the wonders that the language, its culture, and its people have to offer. We are waiting for you!

Answers: transitive, intransitive, intransitive, transitive, intransitive, transitive, intransitive, transitive, intransitive, transitive, transitive, intransitive.

If Spain is known internationally for anything, it is for flamenco. Although it is a dance that is mainly practiced in Andalusia and not by all Spaniards, outside our borders it is a major attraction for tourists.

Flamenco dancing is one of the fundamental pillars of this Andalusian art, along with singing and guitar playing. Over the centuries, numerous Spanish flamenco dancers have left their mark with their technique, personality, and ability to transform this discipline into something magnificent.

That's why we at don Quijote want to introduce you to some of the essential figures who have shaped this dance from its origins to the present day.

Vicente Escudero (1888-1980)

Vicente Escudero was one of the great innovators of flamenco dance in the 20th century. In addition to being a virtuoso, Escudero conceived flamenco as a dance with its own artistic identity, developing his famous Decalogue of the Good Dancer.

He sought purity and sobriety, avoiding theatrical exaggeration in each performance. His interpretation of the farruca is remembered as one of the milestones of his personal style, austere and deeply expressive.

Faíco (Francisco Manzano Heredia, 1932-1993)

Francisco Manzano Heredia, better known as Faíco, stood out for his strength and elegance. This gypsy dancer belonged to the Pelaos family and was a leading figure in the tablaos during the middle decades of the 20th century. He also contributed new forms to the dance, especially in styles such as the farruca and the garrotín. His style combined great technical precision with an overwhelming stage presence.

Carmen Amaya (1913-1963)

Considered one of the greatest Spanish flamenco dancers in history, Carmen Amaya revolutionized this dance with her wild energy, her mastery of zapateado (footwork) and her way of moving across the stage.

Amaya broke gender stereotypes, dancing with the same power as the men, which led her to become an international figure who took flamenco to stages around the world. You can learn more about Carmen Amaya in this video: Carmen Amaya: The dancer who shook flamenco.

Antonio Gades (1936-2004)

Gades was a famous dancer and choreographer who played a key role in the professionalization of stage flamenco. He conceived dance as a narrative and theatrical art, creating productions that integrated dance, drama, and music, such as Bodas de Sangre, Carmen, and El Amor Brujo. He also brought flamenco to the cinema, introducing it to new audiences. His style was characterized by refinement, restraint, and a deep respect for the essence of flamenco.

Merche Esmeralda (b. 1947)

Merche Esmeralda represents the generation that took flamenco from the tablao to the academic stage. She was a member of the Spanish National Ballet and toured internationally extensively.

Her dancing combines elegance, technical precision, and musicality. She has also played an important role as a teacher, training new generations of Spanish flamenco dancers.

Pastora Imperio (1889-1979)

She was one of the first great stars of stage flamenco. Pastora Imperio is known for her elegance, majestic presence, and expressiveness. She also helped shape the stage style of flamenco in the first half of the 20th century. She influenced an entire generation and became a symbol of classical flamenco.

Eva Yerbabuena (b. 1970)

One of the most respected flamenco dancers today is Eva Yerbabuena. Her work combines deep tradition with a constant search for choreographic innovation. This Spanish flamenco dancer is known for her emotional intensity, expressiveness, and use of her entire body in her choreography. She has taken flamenco to international stages and influenced many contemporary artists.

Sara Baras (b. 1971)

Known for her impeccable technique and great sense of rhythm, Sara Baras has managed to popularize flamenco around the world without losing its roots. Her shows are large-scale productions that combine classical elements with modern staging, appealing to both specialists and new audiences. She has been instrumental in keeping flamenco alive and constantly evolving in the 21st century.

Rafael Amargo (b. 1975)

Rafael Amargo is a dancer and choreographer from Granada who trained in classical flamenco but soon began to mix it with contemporary dance and theater. His shows, such as Poeta en Nueva York, have been performed internationally. He is known for his great stage energy, charisma, and willingness to break the mold within flamenco.

Joaquín Cortés (b. 1969)

Joaquín Cortés began his career with the Spanish National Ballet and went on to become one of the world's most famous Spanish flamenco dancers. His style combines flamenco with contemporary dance, bringing spectacular stage presence, drama, and great technique. He has taken flamenco to major international theaters, bringing it to a wide range of audiences.

Farruquito (b. 1982)

A descendant of the Farruco flamenco dynasty, Spanish flamenco dancer Farruquito is considered one of the greatest exponents of pure flamenco today. His dancing is characterized by its power, technical mastery, and fidelity to the Andalusian gypsy tradition.

Antonio Canales (b. 1961)

Antonio Canales trained at the Spanish National Ballet and later founded his own company. Canales is renowned for his strength, character, and enormous stage presence. He has renewed the choreographic language of flamenco and has been part of seminal shows, as well as being internationally awarded and recognized.

All these artists share certain characteristics that define them as Spanish flamenco dancers: great technical mastery, a strong artistic personality, and an ability to convey emotion. Flamenco dance remains a living art form, in which tradition and innovation coexist. If you want to discover more about flamenco or improve your language skills, come to don Quijote to learn Spanish in Spain and fall even more in love with this dance.