Understanding the nuances between cerrar and completar in Spanish can be a bit challenging for language learners. Both words can be translated into English, but their uses and meanings can differ significantly depending on the context. In this article, we will explore the intricacies of cerrar and completar, providing you with examples and explanations to help you master their usage.
Cerrar is the Spanish verb that primarily means “to close” or “to shut.” It is used in a variety of contexts where something is being physically or metaphorically closed. Let’s delve into some common uses of cerrar:
1. **Physical Closing**: This is the most straightforward use of cerrar. It refers to closing physical objects such as doors, windows, or containers.
– Por favor, cierra la puerta. (Please, close the door.)
– ¿Puedes cerrar la ventana? (Can you close the window?)
2. **Business Hours**: Cerrar is also used to indicate the closing of businesses or institutions.
– La tienda cierra a las nueve de la noche. (The store closes at 9 PM.)
– El banco cierra los domingos. (The bank is closed on Sundays.)
3. **Ending Activities**: It can also be used to refer to the conclusion of events or activities.
– La reunión cerró con un discurso inspirador. (The meeting closed with an inspiring speech.)
– Vamos a cerrar el proyecto esta semana. (We are going to close the project this week.)
4. **Metaphorical Uses**: Cerrar can be used metaphorically to indicate the end of a period or relationship.
– Después de la discusión, decidieron cerrar el capítulo. (After the argument, they decided to close the chapter.)
– Es hora de cerrar ese ciclo en tu vida. (It’s time to close that cycle in your life.)
On the other hand, completar means “to complete,” “to finish,” or “to accomplish.” It is used when something is being brought to a state of wholeness or fulfillment. Here are some common uses of completar:
1. **Finishing Tasks**: Completar is often used when talking about finishing tasks, assignments, or projects.
– Necesito completar mi tarea antes de cenar. (I need to complete my homework before dinner.)
– Han completado el proyecto con éxito. (They have completed the project successfully.)
2. **Achieving Goals**: It can also be used to express the achievement of goals or objectives.
– Ella completó su carrera universitaria en cuatro años. (She completed her university degree in four years.)
– Estamos cerca de completar nuestras metas anuales. (We are close to completing our annual goals.)
3. **Fulfilling Requirements**: Completar is used to indicate the fulfillment of requirements or conditions.
– Para completar el formulario, necesitas tu número de identificación. (To complete the form, you need your identification number.)
– Tienes que completar todos los campos obligatorios. (You have to complete all the mandatory fields.)
4. **Making Whole**: Completar can also mean making something whole or filling in missing parts.
– Necesito completar el rompecabezas. (I need to complete the puzzle.)
– Para completar el equipo, necesitamos otro jugador. (To complete the team, we need another player.)
Now that we have a basic understanding of cerrar and completar, let’s compare them in different scenarios to highlight their differences:
1. **Closing vs. Completing a Form**:
– Voy a cerrar el formulario. (I am going to close the form.) – This implies that you are shutting or exiting the form, perhaps without finishing it.
– Voy a completar el formulario. (I am going to complete the form.) – This means you are going to finish filling out the form.
2. **Ending vs. Completing a Project**:
– Vamos a cerrar el proyecto. (We are going to close the project.) – This could mean ending the project, whether it is finished or not.
– Vamos a completar el proyecto. (We are going to complete the project.) – This means finishing the project successfully.
3. **Closing vs. Completing a Store**:
– La tienda cerró permanentemente. (The store closed permanently.) – This means the store has shut down.
– La tienda completó su inventario. (The store completed its inventory.) – This means the store finished counting its stock.
In essence, while cerrar focuses on the act of shutting or ending something, completar emphasizes bringing something to its full, finished state. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for effective communication in Spanish.
To further solidify your understanding, here are some practice sentences. Try to determine whether cerrar or completar is the appropriate verb:
1. Necesito _____ la puerta antes de irme. (I need to close the door before I leave.)
2. Vamos a _____ el informe para el lunes. (We are going to complete the report by Monday.)
3. El banco _____ a las cinco de la tarde. (The bank closes at five in the afternoon.)
4. Ella _____ el curso con honores. (She completed the course with honors.)
Answers:
1. cerrar
2. completar
3. cierra
4. completó
By practicing these distinctions, you will become more proficient in using cerrar and completar correctly. Remember, context is key, and paying attention to the nuances of these verbs will greatly enhance your Spanish communication skills. Happy learning!
