Inklingo

How to Say "to weigh" in Spanish

English → Spanish

pesar

peh-SAHRpeˈsaɾ

verbA2general
Use 'pesar' when you are measuring the physical mass or weight of an object.
A brightly colored balance scale with a large red apple sitting on one pan, balanced perfectly against a hidden weight on the other side.

Examples

¿Cuánto pesa esta caja?

How much does this box weigh?

Mi maleta pesa demasiado para el vuelo.

My suitcase weighs too much for the flight.

El bebé pesó tres kilos al nacer.

The baby weighed three kilograms at birth.

Regular -AR Verb

Pesar follows the standard pattern for regular verbs ending in -ar, making its conjugations predictable.

medir

meh-DEERmeˈðiɾ

verbA1general
Use 'medir' when you are determining the size, dimensions, or extent of something, or figuratively, its importance or impact.
A wooden ruler being used to measure the length of a small green book on a blue table.

Examples

Tengo que medir la ventana para comprar las cortinas.

I have to measure the window to buy the curtains.

El carpintero midió la madera con mucho cuidado.

The carpenter measured the wood very carefully.

Es difícil medir el éxito solo con dinero.

It is difficult to measure success only with money.

The 'E' to 'I' Swap

This verb is a 'stem-changer.' In many present tense forms and the 3rd person past, the 'e' in the middle changes to an 'i'.

Measuring is Doing

Unlike some English verbs that use 'be' (e.g., 'it is 5 meters long'), Spanish often uses the active verb 'medir' to describe dimensions.

The 'Yo' Form Error

Mistake: “Yo medo la mesa.”

Correction: Yo mido la mesa. (Remember that the 'e' changes to 'i' in the present tense!)

Confusing Mass vs. Importance

Learners often confuse 'pesar' (to measure mass) with 'medir' (to measure dimensions or importance). Remember, if you're talking about how heavy something is, use 'pesar'. If you're talking about size or significance, use 'medir'.

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