Inklingo

How to Say "i cause" in Spanish

English → Spanish

hago

/AH-go//ˈa.ɣo/

VerbB1General
Use 'hago' when you are the direct agent or reason for a specific action or result to occur. It implies you are actively making something happen.
A person telling a joke or performing an action that causes two friends next to them to burst out laughing happily.

Examples

Con mis chistes, siempre hago reír a mis amigos.

With my jokes, I always make my friends laugh.

Si no llamo a mi madre, la hago preocuparse.

If I don't call my mom, I make her worry.

The 'Hacer' + Verb Pattern

To say you 'make someone do something,' use this easy pattern: 'hago' + [the person] + [the action verb in its original '-ar', '-er', or '-ir' form]. For example: 'Hago correr al perro' (I make the dog run).

doy

/doy//doi̯/

VerbB1General
Use 'doy' when you are indirectly producing or instilling a state, feeling, or sensation in someone else. It focuses more on the resulting emotion or condition.
A character telling a joke which causes two other characters to burst into uncontrolled laughter.

Examples

Con mis chistes, le doy risa a todo el mundo.

With my jokes, I make everyone laugh.

Me doy cuenta de que es tarde.

I realize that it's late.

Le doy un golpe a la mesa sin querer.

I hit the table by accident.

Reflexive Use: 'Darse'

Sometimes you'll see 'me doy'. This is from 'darse', a version of 'dar' that reflects the action back on 'me'. The phrase 'me doy cuenta' (I realize) is extremely common and means the realization is happening to me.

Hago vs. Doy: Causing Actions vs. Causing Feelings

Learners often confuse 'hago' and 'doy' by using 'doy' for direct actions. Remember, 'hago' is for causing an action to happen (e.g., 'hago correr' - I make run), while 'doy' is for causing a state or feeling (e.g., 'doy miedo' - I cause fear).

Related Translations

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