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How to Say "to face" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to face” is “enfrentar” — use this when you need to confront or deal with a difficult situation, problem, challenge, or fear directly..

English → Spanish

enfrentar

/en-fren-TAR//em.fɾenˈtaɾ/

verbA2general
Use this when you need to confront or deal with a difficult situation, problem, challenge, or fear directly.
A small, brave person stands at the base of a massive, steep hill or symbolic obstacle, looking up determinedly to signify facing a challenge.

Examples

Tenemos que enfrentar la realidad, no podemos ignorarla.

We have to face reality; we can't ignore it.

El presidente enfrentó muchas críticas por su nueva ley.

The president confronted a lot of criticism for his new law.

Ella enfrenta sus miedos con valentía.

She faces her fears with courage.

Direct Action Verb

In this meaning, 'enfrentar' is always used directly: the subject (who is doing the action) faces the object (the problem or person). No extra words are usually needed between the verb and the thing being faced.

Mixing Transitive and Reflexive

Mistake: “Me enfrento el problema.”

Correction: Enfrento el problema. (The 'me' is only used if the problem is facing you back, which is the next definition.)

enfrentarse

/en-fren-TAR-seh//enfɾenˈtaɾse/

verbB1general
This reflexive form is used when you are directly confronting or dealing with a specific problem or situation, often implying a personal involvement.
A person standing bravely in front of a giant, dark storm cloud.

Examples

Debemos enfrentarnos a la realidad de la situación.

We must face the reality of the situation.

Ella se enfrentó a sus miedos y subió al avión.

She faced her fears and got on the plane.

Using 'a'

This word almost always needs the little word 'a' before the thing or person you are facing. For example: 'enfrentarse a un problema'.

Don't forget the 'se'

Mistake: “Yo enfrento el problema.”

Correction: Yo me enfrento al problema. (In Spanish, you 'face yourself to' the problem using those extra pronouns like me, te, or se).

asumir

ah-soo-MEER/a.suˈmiɾ/

verbB2general
Use this when you need to accept or take on a responsibility, a role, or a difficult situation, like a defeat or a consequence.
A person standing calmly in the rain, looking up at the gray sky with a serene expression, symbolizing acceptance of a difficult situation.

Examples

Le costó mucho asumir la derrota después del partido.

It was very hard for him to accept the defeat after the game.

Ella tuvo que asumir que el proyecto no funcionaría.

She had to accept that the project wouldn't work.

Emotional Acceptance

In this meaning, 'asumir' describes the mental process of integrating a difficult fact, not just saying 'yes' to an invitation.

volverse

/bol-ver-se//bolˈbeɾse/

verbA2general
Choose this when you are changing your orientation or turning your body in a different direction to see or look at something.
A stylized figure stands on a simple path, performing a physical rotation to face the direction opposite to where they were originally looking.

Examples

Me volví para ver quién me había llamado.

I turned around to see who had called me.

Se volvió hacia la puerta y se fue.

He turned toward the door and left.

Por favor, no te vuelvas hasta que cuente tres.

Please, don't turn around until I count to three.

Non-Reflexive 'Volver'

The non-reflexive form, 'volver' (without the 'se'), means simply 'to return' or 'to give back,' referring to an object or location, not the person changing or turning themselves.

Confusing Volver and Volverse

Mistake: “Me volví a casa.”

Correction: Volví a casa. (Use 'volver' without 'se' when you mean 'I returned home.')

mirar

/mee-RAHR//miˈɾaɾ/

verbB2general
Use this when describing the direction or orientation of a place, building, or window, indicating what it looks out onto.
A colorful house with a large balcony that is directly facing a vast, blue ocean view.

Examples

Nuestra habitación de hotel mira al mar.

Our hotel room faces the sea.

La fachada principal de la casa mira hacia el sur.

The main facade of the house faces south.

Used with Places, Not People

This meaning is almost always used for inanimate objects like windows, doors, balconies, and entire buildings. It describes the direction they are oriented.

Enfrentar vs. Asumir

Learners often confuse 'enfrentar' (to confront a problem) with 'asumir' (to accept a situation or responsibility). Remember, 'enfrentar' implies actively dealing with something, while 'asumir' means to accept it, often passively or as a consequence.

Related Translations

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