cometer
/koh-meh-TER/
to commit
Cometer means to commit an offense or error.
cometer(verb)
to commit
?crime, offense, sin
,to make
?mistake, error
to perpetrate
?formal/legal
📝 In Action
El conductor cometió una infracción de tráfico y recibió una multa.
B1The driver committed a traffic violation and received a fine.
No te preocupes, todos podemos cometer errores.
A2Don't worry, we can all make mistakes.
Jamás cometería un acto tan deshonesto.
B2I would never commit such a dishonest act.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Needs an Action Receiver
Unlike English, where you can sometimes just 'commit,' in Spanish, 'cometer' always needs to be followed immediately by the mistake or crime being done: 'cometer un error' (commit an error).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Cometer' for Dedication
Mistake: "Quiero cometer a mi trabajo."
Correction: Quiero dedicarme a mi trabajo. ('Cometer' is for negative actions; use 'dedicarse' or 'comprometerse' for dedication or promise.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Focus on the Negative
Think of 'cometer' as meaning 'to carry out something bad.' It is almost never used for positive actions like 'committing to a plan' or 'committing a good deed.'
Cometer can also mean to entrust a duty or responsibility to someone else.
📝 In Action
El director cometió la nueva tarea al equipo más experimentado.
C1The director entrusted the new task to the most experienced team.
💡 Grammar Points
Use Modern Alternatives
While 'cometer' is historically correct for 'to entrust,' modern Spanish speakers almost always use 'encargar' or 'confiar' instead. Stick to those verbs for daily conversation.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: cometer
Question 1 of 2
Which Spanish verb should you use if you want to say 'I want to commit to studying every day'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'cometer' generally a negative word?
Yes, in modern Spanish, 'cometer' is almost exclusively used to describe negative actions, such as committing a crime, a sin, or making a mistake. It carries a sense of fault or wrongdoing.
How is 'cometer' different from 'hacer' (to do/make)?
While 'hacer' is a general verb for 'to do' or 'to make,' 'cometer' is specifically used when the action being performed is negative or serious. You would say 'hacer la cena' (make dinner), but 'cometer un delito' (commit an offense).