How to Say "to show" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to show” is “mostrar” — use 'mostrar' when you are displaying or presenting a physical object to someone, like showing an ID or an item..
mostrar
mo-STRAR/mosˈtɾaɾ/
Examples
¿Puedes mostrarme tu pasaporte, por favor?
Can you show me your passport, please?
El museo muestra arte prehispánico.
The museum displays pre-Hispanic art.
Ella me mostró el camino a la salida.
She showed me the way to the exit.
The Special Vowel Change
In the present tense, the 'o' in the middle changes to 'ue' when the ending is stressed: yo muestro, tú muestras. BUT, for 'nosotros' and 'vosotros', it stays 'o': nosotros mostramos.
Forgetting the 'ue' change
Mistake: “Yo mostro mi casa.”
Correction: Yo muestro mi casa. Remember the 'o' becomes 'ue' in the singular forms and 'ellos/ellas/ustedes' form.
enseñar
Examples
El guía nos enseñó la catedral antigua.
The guide showed us the old cathedral.
demostrar
deh-mohs-TRAR/demoˈstɾaɾ/
Examples
Ella nunca demuestra sus emociones en público.
She never shows her emotions in public.
El abogado pudo demostrar la inocencia de su cliente.
The lawyer was able to prove his client's innocence.
Necesitas demostrar que tienes suficiente experiencia para el puesto.
You need to demonstrate that you have enough experience for the position.
La ciencia ha demostrado que el ejercicio es bueno para la salud.
Science has proven that exercise is good for your health.
Stem-Changing Verb (O > UE)
In the present tense, the 'o' changes to 'ue' in all forms except for 'nosotros' (we) and 'vosotros' (you plural/Spain). This is a very common pattern in Spanish verbs.
Using 'Demostrar' with Emotions
When talking about feelings, demostrar often takes the place of the simpler verb mostrar to emphasize that the feeling is clearly expressed or made visible to others.
Forgetting the Stem Change
Mistake: “Yo demostro (No stem change)”
Correction: Yo demuestro (Remember the 'ue' change in the present tense.)
decir
/deh-SEER//deˈθiɾ/
Examples
El cartel dice 'prohibido el paso'.
The sign says 'no entry'.
Su cara lo decía todo.
His face said it all.
El primer capítulo no dice nada sobre su pasado.
The first chapter doesn't say anything about his past.
comprobar
/kom-proh-BAR//kom.pɾoˈβaɾ/
Examples
El experimento comprobó la teoría del científico.
The experiment proved the scientist's theory.
La nueva evidencia comprueba su inocencia.
The new evidence proves his innocence.
No pudieron comprobar que el coche era robado.
They couldn't prove that the car was stolen.
Followed by 'que'
When 'comprobar' means 'to prove' or 'to confirm a fact,' it is usually followed by 'que' and the verb in the normal indicative (non-special) form: 'Comprobamos que está aquí.' (We confirmed that he is here.)
Mostrar vs. Enseñar
Related Translations
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