Inklingo

How to Say "they show" in Spanish

English → Spanish

muestran

MWEHS-tran/ˈmwes.tɾan/

verbA1general
Use 'muestran' when someone is actively presenting or displaying an object to someone else.
Two friendly characters standing side by side, holding up a single large, shiny red apple between them as if presenting it to an audience.

Examples

Los niños nos muestran sus dibujos con orgullo.

The children show us their drawings with pride.

Las tiendas de la calle muestran la nueva colección de verano.

The stores on the street are displaying the new summer collection.

Ustedes muestran mucha paciencia con los principiantes.

You (plural) show a lot of patience with the beginners.

Vowel Change in the Present

In the present tense, the 'o' in the verb's root changes to 'ue' (o > ue) for most people, including 'ellos/ellas/ustedes' ('muestran'). This sound change happens when the emphasis falls on that part of the word.

Forgetting the Stem Change

Mistake: “Ellos *mostran* la colección.”

Correction: Ellos *muestran* la colección. Remember that the 'o' turns into 'ue' in the present tense for this form.

indican

een-DEE-kahn/inˈdikan/

verbA2general
Use 'indican' when something is pointing out information, a direction, or a state of being, often in a more abstract or informative way.
Two small anthropomorphic animal characters standing side by side, both clearly pointing with their fingers towards a bright glowing star in the dark night sky.

Examples

Las señales de tráfico indican el límite de velocidad.

The traffic signs indicate the speed limit.

Ellos indican que la reunión será mañana por la mañana.

They indicate that the meeting will be tomorrow morning.

¿Qué indican los documentos que nos entregaron?

What do the documents they gave us show?

Identifying 'Indican'

'Indican' is the 'they' form of the verb 'indicar' (to indicate) in the present tense. It is used when the action is being done by two or more people or things.

Spelling Change Rule (C to QU)

Even though 'indicar' is mostly regular, notice how the 'c' changes to 'qu' before 'e' (like in 'indiqué' or 'indiquen'). This is only to keep the hard 'k' sound.

Using the wrong subject

Mistake: “El mapa indican la ruta. (The map indicate the route.)”

Correction: El mapa indica la ruta. (The map indicates the route.) Remember: 'indican' is plural; 'indica' is singular.

Showing vs. Indicating

Learners often confuse 'muestran' and 'indican' by using 'muestran' for abstract information. Remember, 'muestran' is for physically presenting something, while 'indican' is for conveying information or a direction.

Related Translations

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