100 Spanish Verbs Face-Off (Part 2)

[C] to believe | This verb shares its Latin root "credere" with English words like "credible" and "credit." Spanish speakers often use "creer que" to express opinions, similar to how English uses "I think that" - making it essential for everyday conversations.

[D] to count | Beyond just counting numbers, "contar" also means "to tell" a story, making it a delightful double-duty verb. The phrase "cuenta conmigo" (count on me) was popularized in Latin music and shows how this verb builds trust in relationships.

[A] to feel | This emotion-packed verb undergoes a stem change (e→ie) in present tense, like "siento" (I feel). It's the root of "lo siento" (I'm sorry), literally meaning "I feel it" - showing how Spanish links apologies to empathy.

[B] to discover | Literally meaning "to uncover" (des- + cubrir), this verb perfectly captures the act of revelation. Columbus is called "el descubridor" in Spanish, though modern perspectives rightfully question what was actually "discovered."

[C] to touch | This versatile verb means both "to touch" and "to play" an instrument - Spanish sees music as something you physically touch. The expression "te toca" means "it's your turn," showing how touch relates to taking action.

[D] to recognize | Built from "re-" (again) and "conocer" (to know), it literally means "to know again." In legal Spanish, "reconocer" also means to acknowledge paternity or debt, giving it serious real-world implications.

[A] to play | The only Spanish verb with a u→ue stem change, making "juego" (I play) sound quite different from its infinitive. Interestingly, "jugador" can mean both "player" and "gambler," revealing cultural attitudes toward risk-taking.

[B] to change | From Late Latin "cambiare," this verb gave English the word "exchange." The phrase "cambiar de opinión" (change one's mind) is used more frequently in Spanish cultures, reflecting greater acceptance of evolving viewpoints.

[C] to exist | Unlike English "exist," Spanish "existir" is commonly used in everyday speech, not just philosophical discussions. The phrase "existes para mí" (you exist for me) is a romantic expression showing someone's importance in your life.

[D] to serve | This verb experiences an e→i stem change, becoming "sirvo" (I serve). Beyond service, "¿para qué sirve?" asks about something's purpose or function, making it essential for practical problem-solving conversations.

[A] to finish | When followed by "de + infinitive," it means "to have just done something" - a unique Spanish construction for recent past. "Se acabó" (it's over) is dramatically used in flamenco performances and emotional declarations.

[B] to produce | Like all -ducir verbs, it becomes "produzco" in first person present and "produjo" in preterite. These verbs trace back to Latin "ducere" (to lead), suggesting production as "leading something forth."

[C] to open | Its past participle "abierto" is irregular, unlike most -ir verbs. The phrase "abrir los ojos" means both literally opening eyes and metaphorically becoming aware - a beautiful dual meaning.

[D] to search for | Unlike English, Spanish "buscar" doesn't need a preposition - you "buscar algo," not "buscar para algo." Google's Spanish interface uses "Buscar" for its search button, making this verb digitally essential.

[A] to go | One of only three Spanish verbs with completely irregular present tense (voy, vas, va). Combined with "a + infinitive," it forms the immediate future tense, making "voy a comer" (I'm going to eat) one of Spanish's most useful constructions.

[A] to leave | This verb means both "to leave" and "to go out socially," making "salir con alguien" mean "to date someone." Its first person "salgo" follows the "yo-go" verb pattern, common among frequently used Spanish verbs.

[C] to put | The past participle "puesto" also means "position" or "job post" as a noun. "Ponerse" reflexively means "to become" for temporary states, like "ponerse rojo" (to turn red/blush).

[A] to have | Primarily used as an auxiliary verb for compound tenses, its present "hay" uniquely means "there is/are." This impersonal usage makes Spanish descriptions of existence grammatically elegant.

[A] to form | Related to "formation" and "formal," this verb is crucial in educational contexts. "Formarse" means to educate oneself or develop professionally, reflecting Spanish emphasis on continuous personal development.

[B] to live | The simplest regular -ir verb, often used to teach conjugation patterns. "Vivir para contarlo" (to live to tell the tale) is both a García Márquez book title and a common expression for surviving dramatic experiences.

[C] to call | Reflexively, "llamarse" means "to be called/named," making it essential for introductions. The phone greeting "¿Quién llama?" shows how this verb bridges personal identity and communication.

[A] to have | Beyond possession, "tener" + noun expresses many states that English uses "to be" + adjective for, like "tener hambre" (to be hungry). This verb appears in over 50 common expressions, making it indispensable for fluency.

[A] to hear | The present tense adds a "y" sound (oigo, oyes), making it phonetically interesting. Unlike "escuchar" (to listen), "oír" is involuntary - you can't help but "oír" loud noises.

[B] to please | Famous for confusing English speakers, it actually means "to be pleasing to," reversing typical subject-object relationships. This construction appears in many emotion verbs, revealing how Spanish conceptualizes feelings as external forces acting upon us.

[A] to occur | Besides "to happen," "ocurrírsele a alguien" means "to occur to someone" (get an idea). This reflexive construction treats ideas as things that happen to you, not things you actively create.

[D] to arrive | "Llegar a ser" means "to become" through effort or time, unlike "hacerse" or "ponerse." The phrase "llegar tarde" (arrive late) is unfortunately common enough to have inspired the concept of "Latin time."

[A] to be | Used for temporary states and locations, contrasting with "ser" for permanent characteristics. The philosophical distinction between these two "to be" verbs reveals how Spanish speakers conceptualize identity versus condition.

[B] to permit | From Latin permittere “let through.” Use permitir + infinitive when the subject is the same, and permitir que + subjunctive when it changes (often more formal than dejar).

[C] to run | Descends from Latin currere and sprints through idioms: correr riesgos (run risks), correr prisa (be urgent), correr la voz (word spreads). The noun carrera means “race,” “degree/major,” or “career.”

[D] to fulfil | From Latin complēre “to complete,” it’s about meeting duties or goals: cumplir una promesa/una norma/una meta, cumplir con + obligation. Birthdays “get completed”: cumplir X años (“to turn X”).