Inklingo

How to Say "to draw" in Spanish

English → Spanish

dibujar

/dee-boo-HAR//diβuˈxaɾ/

verbA1general
Use 'dibujar' when you are creating an image using lines, typically with a pencil, pen, or charcoal.
A hand holding a pencil and sketching a simple cat on a piece of paper.

Examples

Me gusta dibujar paisajes con lápiz.

I like to draw landscapes with a pencil.

Ella dibuja un retrato de su hermano.

She is drawing a portrait of her brother.

A perfect starter verb

This is a regular '-ar' verb. Once you learn the pattern for this word, you can conjugate thousands of other Spanish verbs just like it!

Draw vs. Design

Mistake: “Using 'diseñar' when you mean to draw a picture.”

Correction: Use 'dibujar' for creating art with lines, and 'diseñar' for technical planning or fashion design.

pintar

peen-TAR/pinˈtaɾ/

verbA2general
Use 'pintar' when you are creating an image using paint, or more broadly, when referring to the act of painting as an art form.
A close-up of a hand holding a paintbrush, adding yellow paint to a landscape painting on an easel.

Examples

Picasso pintó obras muy famosas.

Picasso painted very famous works.

¿Qué estás pintando? Parece un paisaje hermoso.

What are you painting? It looks like a beautiful landscape.

Drawing vs. Painting

Mistake: “Using 'dibujar' for applying paint/color.”

Correction: 'Dibujar' (to draw) is for line work, pencil, or sketches. 'Pintar' is for applying paint or color, even if it's a sketch.

correr

koh-REHR/koˈrer/

verbB1general
Use 'correr' specifically when referring to the action of moving curtains or blinds to open or close them.
A hand gently pulling a bright red curtain to the side, opening the window view.

Examples

Por favor, corre las cortinas antes de que entre el sol.

Please, draw the curtains before the sun comes in.

Olvidaste correr el pestillo de la puerta.

You forgot to slide the bolt on the door.

Mi jefe me pidió correr con los gastos del viaje.

My boss asked me to be responsible for (cover) the travel expenses.

Transitive Use

In this meaning, 'correr' acts directly on an object (the curtains, the bolt). It means you are causing the object to move or slide.

Drawing vs. Moving Curtains

The most common confusion is using 'dibujar' or 'pintar' when you actually mean to 'correr' the curtains. Remember, 'correr' means to move or slide something, like curtains, while 'dibujar' and 'pintar' refer to creating art.

Related Translations

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