pertenecervscorresponder
/pehr-teh-neh-SEHR/
/koh-rrehs-pohn-DEHR/
💡 Quick Rule
Pertenecer = ownership (to belong TO). Corresponder = what's fitting or whose turn it is (to be up TO).
Pertenecer has 'tener' (to have) inside it—think possession. Corresponder is for responsibility or matching up.
- Corresponder can also mean to reciprocate feelings, as in 'un amor no correspondido' (unrequited love).
📊 Comparison Table
| Context | pertenecer | corresponder | Why? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Responsibility vs Ownership | El coche pertenece a Juan. | Le corresponde a Juan lavar el coche. | Pertenecer shows who owns the car. Corresponder shows whose duty it is to wash it. |
| Group vs Role | Pertenezco a este equipo. | Me corresponde ser el capitán. | Pertenecer is about being a member. Corresponder is about fulfilling a specific role or duty within that group. |
| Matching Parts | Esta tapa pertenece a esa olla. | A cada olla le corresponde una tapa. | Pertenecer for a specific one-to-one ownership. Corresponder for a general matching relationship. |
✅ When to Use "pertenecer" / corresponder
pertenecer
To belong to; to be the property of; to be a member of a group.
/pehr-teh-neh-SEHR/
Ownership of an object
Este libro me pertenece.
This book belongs to me.
Membership in a group
Pertenezco a un club de lectura.
I belong to a book club.
Being part of a whole
Esa pieza pertenece al motor.
That piece belongs to the engine.
corresponder
To correspond to; to be appropriate for; to be someone's duty or turn.
/koh-rrehs-pohn-DEHR/
Duty or responsibility
Te corresponde a ti sacar la basura.
It's your turn/duty to take out the trash.
Matching or being appropriate
El castigo debe corresponder al crimen.
The punishment should correspond to the crime.
Reciprocating feelings
Él la ama, pero ella no le corresponde.
He loves her, but she doesn't return his feelings.
🔄 Contrast Examples
With "pertenecer":
El derecho a decidir nos pertenece a todos.
The right to decide belongs to all of us. (We possess this right.)
With "corresponder":
Nos corresponde a todos decidir.
It's up to all of us to decide. (It's our collective responsibility.)
The Difference: 'Pertenecer' talks about possessing the right itself. 'Corresponder' talks about the duty or responsibility to exercise that right.
With "pertenecer":
La chaqueta pertenece a María.
The jacket belongs to María. (She is the owner.)
With "corresponder":
La chaqueta corresponde con los pantalones.
The jacket matches/goes with the pants. (They look good together.)
The Difference: 'Pertenecer' establishes ownership. 'Corresponder' describes a relationship of matching or suitability.
🎨 Visual Comparison
Pertenecer is about what's yours; corresponder is about what's your turn.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
Me pertenece limpiar la cocina.
Me corresponde limpiar la cocina.
For duties or turns, use 'corresponder'. 'Me pertenece' would mean 'the kitchen belongs to me', which is different from it being your turn to clean it.
Esta respuesta pertenece a la pregunta cinco.
Esta respuesta corresponde a la pregunta cinco.
When matching two things, like a question and an answer, 'corresponder' is the natural choice. 'Pertenecer' implies the question literally owns the answer, which is awkward.
📚 Related Grammar
Want to understand the grammar behind this pair? Explore these lessons for a deep dive:
🏷️ Key Words
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: Pertenecer vs Corresponder
Question 1 of 2
Este paraguas no es mío, ___ a mi compañero de piso.
🏷️ Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use 'pertenecer' to say 'it's my turn'?
No, that's a common mistake. For turns, duties, or responsibilities, always use 'corresponder' or the verb 'tocar'. For example, 'Me corresponde a mí' or 'Me toca a mí' both mean 'It's my turn'. 'Me pertenece' means 'It belongs to me'.
What does 'un amor no correspondido' mean?
This is a great example of 'corresponder' meaning 'to reciprocate' or 'to return'. 'Un amor no correspondido' means 'unrequited love'—love that isn't returned by the other person. 'Pertenecer' cannot be used in this context.