Inklingo

How to Say "hand over" in Spanish

English → Spanish

entregar

en-treh-GAR/en.tɾeˈɣaɾ/

verbA1
Use 'entregar' for the general act of delivering or handing over an item to someone, especially in a formal or official context.
A cheerful uniformed courier holding a small brown package and handing it directly to an outstretched hand, completing a delivery.

Examples

El mensajero va a entregar el paquete esta tarde.

The messenger is going to deliver the package this afternoon.

Entregué las llaves al conserje antes de irme.

I handed the keys over to the concierge before leaving.

Transferring the Action

When you deliver something to someone, you often use the preposition 'a': 'Entregar el paquete a mi vecina' (Deliver the package to my neighbor).

Preterite Spelling Change

Mistake: “Yo entregé”

Correction: Yo entregué. The 'g' must change to 'gu' before 'e' to keep the hard 'g' sound (like in 'go').

entregue

/en-TREH-geh//enˈtɾeɣe/

verbA2formal
Use 'entregue' as a formal command (usted form) to ask someone to hand over or give something to another person.
A person handing a brightly wrapped gift box to another person.

Examples

Por favor, entregue su pasaporte al oficial.

Please, hand over your passport to the officer.

Es importante que yo entregue el informe hoy.

It is important that I turn in the report today.

Dudo que ella entregue el paquete a tiempo.

I doubt she will deliver the package on time.

The 'gu' Spelling Rule

In Spanish, the letter 'g' sounds like 'h' before an 'e'. To keep the hard 'g' sound (like in 'game'), we add a silent 'u' to make 'gue'.

Expressing Wishes and Commands

This specific word form is used when you want someone to do something ('I want you to deliver it') or when giving a polite, formal order.

The Missing Accent

Mistake: “Using 'entregué' when you mean 'entregue'.”

Correction: Use 'entregue' (no accent) for commands or wishes; use 'entregué' (with an accent) only for 'I delivered' in the past.

da

/da//da/

verbA2informal
Use 'da' as an informal command (tú form) meaning 'give' or 'pass', often used for simple actions like passing an object or taking a step.
A close-up of two hands, where one hand is urgently reaching out to receive a small object held by the second hand, representing the command 'give'.

Examples

¡Da un paso adelante!

Take one step forward!

Por favor, da de comer al perro.

Please, feed the dog.

¡Dámelo!

Give it to me!

Giving a Command to 'Tú'

'Da' is the short, direct command form you use with 'tú' (the informal 'you'). It's how you tell a friend to 'give' something. Example: '¡Da las gracias!' (Say thank you!).

Command vs. Statement

Mistake: “Tú da el libro.”

Correction: For a command, just say '¡Da el libro!'. For a statement describing an action, you need the 's': 'Tú das el libro' (You give the book).

Command Forms vs. General Delivery

Learners often confuse the command forms ('da', 'entregue') with the general verb 'entregar'. Remember that 'da' and 'entregue' are specific imperatives used to tell someone to do something, while 'entregar' describes the act of delivery itself.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.