/distiŋˈɡiɾ/
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Translation
to distinguish, to tell apart
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Word origin
From Latin distinguere ('to separate, to mark off'), from dis- ('apart') plus stinguere ('to prick'). The same root gives English 'distinguish' and 'distinct'.
- Origin
- Latin
- Root
- distinguere
- English cognates
- distinguish, distinct
Grammar
Conjugation
Regular -ir conjugation. Pronouns: yo, tú, él/ella/ud., nos., vos., ellos/uds..
Indicative
| Person | Present | Preterite | Imperfect | Future | Conditional |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| yo | distingo | distinguí | distinguía | distinguiré | distinguiría |
| tú | distingues | distinguiste | distinguías | distinguirás | distinguirías |
| él/ella/ud. | distingue | distinguió | distinguía | distinguirá | distinguiría |
| nos. | distinguimos | distinguimos | distinguíamos | distinguiremos | distinguiríamos |
| vos. | distinguís | distinguisteis | distinguíais | distinguiréis | distinguiríais |
| ellos/uds. | distinguen | distinguieron | distinguían | distinguirán | distinguirían |
Subjunctive
| Person | Present | Imperfect (-ra) | Imperfect (-se) |
|---|---|---|---|
| yo | distinga | distinguiera | distinguiese |
| tú | distingas | distinguieras | distinguieses |
| él/ella/ud. | distinga | distinguiera | distinguiese |
| nos. | distingamos | distinguiéramos | distinguiésemos |
| vos. | distingáis | distinguierais | distinguieseis |
| ellos/uds. | distingan | distinguieran | distinguiesen |
Imperative
| Person | Affirmative |
|---|---|
| tú | distingue |
| ud. | distinga |
| nosotros | distingamos |
| vosotros | distinguid |
| uds. | distingan |
Non-finite
- Gerund / present participle
- distinguiendo
- Past participle
- distinguido
Examples
.
It is hard to tell the two twin brothers apart.
.
From here I cannot make out the letters.
.
One must distinguish between the urgent and the important.
especias .
A good cook knows how to tell the spices apart by their smell.
¿ ?
Can you tell blue from green in this light?
Where this fits
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distinguir: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the Spanish word "distinguir" (to distinguish, to tell apart): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free weekThis word is taught in chapter 47, lesson 2: distinguir, lavabo, microondas and 7 more words.