| Principal Translations |
| explain⇒ vi | (make [sth] clear) | explicar⇒ vtr |
| | | aclarar⇒ vtr |
| | Just give me a minute and I'll explain. |
| | Solo dame un minuto y te lo explicaré. |
explain,
explain that vtr | (with clause: make clear) | explicar que loc verb |
| | | aclarar que loc verb |
| | Parents should explain that it is dangerous to play with matches. |
| | Los padres deberían explicar que es peligroso jugar con cerillas. |
| explain [sth]⇒ vtr | (give details of [sth]) | explicar⇒ vtr |
| | | describir⇒ vtr |
| | Paola was explaining the best way to make an omelette. |
| | Paola estaba explicando la mejor forma de hacer una tortilla. |
| explain [sth] vtr | (give reasons) | explicar⇒ vtr |
| | Can you explain what led to your decision? |
| | ¿Nos puede explicar qué lo llevó a tomar esa decisión? |
| explain [sth] vtr | (give clarification) | explicar⇒ vtr |
| | "She is asleep already", he explained. |
| | "Ella ya está dormida", explicó él. |
| explain [sth] to [sb] vtr + prep | (give details, clarify) | explicar⇒ vtr |
| | I've tried to explain Einstein's Theory of Relativity to her many times, but she still doesn't understand it. |
| | Intenté explicarle la teoría de la relatividad de Einstein muchas veces, pero todavía no la entiende. |
| explain [sth] vtr | (account for, justify) | explicar⇒ vtr |
| | Can you explain what happened to the money? |
| | ¿Nos puede explicar qué pasó con el dinero? |
| explain [sth] vtr | (be the reason for) | explicar⇒ vtr |
| | | ser la causa de loc verb + prep |
| | (formal) | ser la raíz de loc verb + prep |
| | The bullying she experienced in her teens explains her shyness now. |
| | El acoso que sufrió en su adolescencia explica su timidez. |
| explain yourself vtr + refl | (account for actions) | ¡explícate! interj |
| | | ¡justifícate! interj |
| | Why did you take my car without asking? Explain yourself! |
| | ¿Por qué te has llevado mi coche sin preguntar? ¡Explícate! |