Using 'Dar'

Although dar is a common verb meaning "to give," it can be used in many more ways than the English verb. Here is a list of some of the most common phrases in which dar is used, along with sample sentences.

Note that in usage alguien would be replaced by reference to a person, while algo would be replaced by reference to a thing.

• dar algo a alguién — to give something to someone — Dieron un carro a su hijo. They gave a car to their son.
• dar con algo (o a alguién) — to find something (or someone) — Di con mi lápiz en la escuela. I found my pencil in the school.
• a alguién dar por (o en) (infinitivo) — to decide to (verb) — Me di por (o en) salir. I decided to leave.
• dar a lugar — to look over a place — La ventana da a la mar. The window overlooks the sea.
• dar luz, dar a luz — to give birth — María dio luz a Jesús. Mary gave birth to Jesus.
• dar de cabeza — to fall on one's head — Dio de cabeza en el gimnasio. He fell on his head in the gymnasium.
• dar de narices — to fall flat on one's face — La chica dio de narices. The girl fell flat on her face.
• dar lo mismo — to make no difference — Comió mucho, pero lo mismo dio. She ate a lot, but it didn't make a difference.
• darse a algo — to give or devote oneself (to something) — Se da a su trabajo. He gives himself to his work. —
• dar a alguién (o algo) por (adjectivo) o (participio) — to assume or consider someone to be (adjective or participle) — La dieron por feliz. Doy la lucha por concluido. — She was considered to be happy. I consider the fight to be over.
• darse cuenta de — to realize — Me di cuenta que ella estaba aquí. — I realized she was here.

Even when it isn't part of a set phrase, dar is one of the most flexible verbs in Spanish, having a wide range of figurative uses broadly based on the concept of giving. Some examples, most of which can be figured out if you know what the nouns mean:

• El sol da luz. The sun shines.
• El reloj dio las tres. The clock struck three.
• Dieron golpes a mi hijo. They hit my son.
• Te damos gracias. We thank you.
• Darse a conocer. To make oneself known.
• Me dio un abrazo. She hugged me.
• Dar la mano. To shake hands.
• Dar un paseo. To take a walk.
• Darse vuelta. To turn.
• Darse prisa. To hurry.
• Darse a la vela. To set sail.
• Darse a entender. To suggest.
• Darse de comer. To feed.
• Darse fin./i] To finish.

Keep in mind that dar is conjugated irregularly, especially in the preterite form.