Inklingo

How to Say "they gave" in Spanish

English → Spanish

dieron

/dee-eh-ron//ˈdje.ɾon/

VerbA1General
Use 'dieron' to talk about a specific, completed instance in the past when someone gave something.
A high quality storybook illustration showing two simple figures facing each other. One figure is extending their hand, offering a single, bright red apple to the other figure.

Examples

Ellos nos dieron las entradas antes del concierto.

They gave us the tickets before the concert.

Ustedes le dieron un buen consejo sobre el negocio.

You all gave him good advice about the business.

Mis padres me dieron permiso para ir a la fiesta.

My parents gave me permission to go to the party.

Irregular Past Tense

The verb 'dar' is irregular in the simple past (Preterite). Notice 'dieron' uses 'ie' instead of the typical '-aron' ending for AR verbs. Treat it like an IR/ER verb past tense.

No Accent Needed

'Dieron' is a two-syllable word stressed on the first syllable, but because it is a plain verb form, it does not require a written accent mark (unlike some other past tense verbs).

Confusing 'Dieron' and 'Fueron'

Mistake: “Using 'dieron' when meaning 'they went' or 'they were'.”

Correction: Use 'dieron' only for 'they gave'. Use 'fueron' (from 'ir' or 'ser') for 'they went' or 'they were'.

daban

dah-bahn/ˈda.βan/

VerbA2General
Use 'daban' to describe an ongoing, habitual, or repeated action of giving in the past, often setting a scene.
A group of cheerful people handing out baskets of fruit to their neighbors in a colorful village.

Examples

Mis abuelos siempre me daban caramelos cuando los visitaba.

My grandparents always used to give me candies when I visited them.

En esa época, ellos daban clases de baile los sábados.

At that time, they were giving dance classes on Saturdays.

Las ventanas daban al jardín principal.

The windows looked out onto (literally: 'gave to') the main garden.

When to use 'daban'

Use 'daban' when talking about multiple people who used to give things habitually in the past, or when describing a scene that was ongoing.

Don't confuse with 'dieron'

Mistake: “Using 'daban' for a one-time gift.”

Correction: Use 'dieron' if they gave something once (like a birthday present yesterday). Use 'daban' if they gave it every year.

Completed vs. Ongoing Past Actions

Learners often confuse 'dieron' and 'daban' by using the simple past ('dieron') for actions that were habitual or ongoing in the past. Remember: 'dieron' is for a single, finished event, while 'daban' describes a repeated or continuous past action.

Related Translations

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