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How to Say "to hand" in Spanish

English → Spanish

dar

/dar//'daɾ/

VerbA1General
Use 'dar' when the primary action is the act of giving or presenting something directly to someone, often as a gift or a regular occurrence.
A child handing a brightly colored apple to another child, illustrating the action of giving or transferring an object.

Examples

Mi abuela siempre me da veinte euros por mi cumpleaños.

My grandmother always gives me twenty euros for my birthday.

¿Me das la sal, por favor?

Can you give me the salt, please?

Le di las llaves al recepcionista.

I gave the keys to the receptionist.

Who gets what?

When you give something (like a book) to someone (like Maria), you use little words like 'me', 'te', 'le' to show who is receiving it. Example: 'Le doy el libro a Maria' (I give the book to Maria).

A Very Irregular Verb

'Dar' is a rule-breaker! Notice how 'yo' in the present is 'doy', not 'do'. The past tense (preterite) is also completely unique ('di', 'diste', 'dio'...). It's best to memorize these common forms.

'Dar' vs. 'Regalar'

Mistake: “Quiero darte este suéter para tu cumpleaños.”

Correction: Quiero regalarte este suéter para tu cumpleaños. Use 'regalar' when you mean 'to give as a gift'. 'Dar' is more general and can mean just handing something over.

pasar

/pa-sar//paˈsaɾ/

VerbA2General
Use 'pasar' when the focus is on transferring an object from one person to another, especially in a physical, back-and-forth manner.
Two pairs of hands meeting in the center, passing a single, brightly colored salt shaker from one set of hands to the other.

Examples

¿Me puedes pasar la sal, por favor?

Can you pass me the salt, please?

Pásame ese libro que está en la mesa.

Hand me that book that's on the table.

Who are you passing it to?

This use of 'pasar' almost always comes with a little word like 'me', 'te', 'le' to show who is receiving the item. 'Pása-me' literally means 'Pass-to-me'.

alcanzar

/al-kan-SAR//al.kanˈθaɾ/

VerbA2General
Use 'alcanzar' when you need to reach for something, often at a distance or height, before you can hand it to someone.
A child standing on tiptoes, stretching their hand upwards to reach a brightly colored toy sitting on a high shelf.

Examples

¿Puedes alcanzar el libro que está en el estante de arriba?

Can you reach the book that is on the top shelf?

Llegamos tarde, pero alcanzamos a ver el final del partido.

We arrived late, but we managed to catch (reach) the end of the game.

Alcanza la sal, por favor.

Pass the salt, please. (Literally: Reach me the salt.)

Z to C Spelling Change

In forms where the sound 'z' must come before 'e' (like the 'yo' preterite or the entire present subjunctive), the spelling changes from 'z' to 'c' (e.g., alcanzo but alcancé and alcance).

Confusing 'Reach' and 'Arrive'

Mistake: “Using *llegar* when meaning to physically reach for something.”

Correction: Use *alcanzar* for physical reaching or handing something; use *llegar* for arriving at a destination.

Confusing 'dar' and 'pasar'

Learners often confuse 'dar' and 'pasar' because both mean 'to give' or 'to pass'. Remember that 'dar' emphasizes the act of giving, while 'pasar' focuses more on the transfer of the object, especially in everyday requests like passing an item at the table.

Related Translations

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