dar
/ˈdaɾ/
To give in Spanish is dar.
dar is the most common and versatile word for 'to give' in Spanish. While it is the standard choice for handing over something to someone else, other verbs can be more specific. For example, entregar focuses on the act of delivering or handing over an item, regalar specifically conveys the act of giving a gift and obsequiar is used when giving a gift or something of value. dar is also used in several idiomatic expressions, such as dar a luz (to give birth), dar una mano (to lend a hand), dar un paseo (to take a walk) and dar un golpe (to hit or strike).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Colombian Spanish, the word dar is often replaced with regalar when expressing the intent to give.
How does it change in a sentence?
The first-person singular present indicative of dar is highly irregular, appearing as doy (I give). The informal singular imperative or command form is di (give). When giving something to a person, you can attach indirect object pronouns to the end of the infinitive dar. For instance, darte means 'to give to you' (informal) and darle means 'to give to him/her/you' (formal).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈdaɾ/
Did you know?
- The English word 'data' is actually the plural form of the Latin word 'datum', which shares the same Proto-Indo-European root as the Spanish verb dar.
- In Colombia, if you want to ask for the price of an item, you might use regalar instead of 'to give', such as in ¿me regala un café? which literally asks 'will you gift me a coffee?'
- The phrase dar a luz literally translates to 'to give to light', meaning 'to give birth'.
Examples in context
- Voy a darte algo.I'm going to give you something.This sentence uses dar to express the intention of giving something to 'you'.Tatoeba #2069375 by hayastan, translation #2064877 by CK
- Le daré otro intento.I'm going to give it one more try.This sentence uses dar to express giving another try.Tatoeba #3170764 by marcelostockle, translation #2540531 by CK
- Tengo algo para darte.I have something to give to you.This sentence uses dar to show possession of something intended to be given to 'you'.Tatoeba #2784034 by teskmon, translation #2712996 by CK
- Le quiero dar un regalo.I want to give you a gift.
- Voy a entregar el informe mañana.I am going to deliver the report tomorrow.
- Quiero obsequiarle un libro.I want to give you a book as a gift.
- Quiero darte este regalo.I want to give you this gift.
- Voy a regalarte un libro.I'm going to give you a book as a gift.
- Pásame la sal, por favor.Pass me the salt, please.
- Quiero regalarte un abrazo.I want to give you a hug as a gift.
- Mi hermana va a entregar su tesis hoy.My sister is going to hand in her thesis today.
- dar un abrazoGive a hug
- dar un regaloGive a gift
- dar una opiniónGive an opinion
- Daré el libro a MaríaI will give the book to María
- 137 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are in a classroom.
- Alejandro¿Puedes darme ese bolígrafo, María?Can you give me that pen, María?
- MaríaSí, aquí tienes.Yes, here you go.
- AlejandroGracias, ahora voy a dar el papel al profesor.Thanks, now I am going to give the paper to the teacher.
- MaríaBuena idea, Alejandro.Good idea, Alejandro.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry dar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
