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Common expressions with 'dar'

When you want to describe an action in English, you often use verbs like "take" (take a walk), "make" (make a turn), or just a single specific verb (to jump, to kick). In Spanish, you will frequently encounter a different structure. Instead of a dedicated verb for every action, Spanish loves to use a generic verb paired with a noun.

The most common of these verbs in Spanish is dar (to give). While you might want to translate an English verb directly, Spanish speakers will often "give a jump" or "give a walk". Learning to spot and use these dar expressions will make your Spanish sound much more natural and fluent.

Word list
besomA2 kiss dar un beso = to kiss darse un bañoA2 to bathe darse un baño = to bathe darse una duchaA2 to shower darse una ducha = to shower hambrefA2 hunger dar hambre = make hungry miedomA2 fear dar miedo = scare paseomA2 walk dar un paseo = walk pasomA2 step dar un paso = take a step sorpresafA2 surprise dar una sorpresa = surprise sueñomA2 sleep dar sueño = make sleepy suertefA2 luck dar suerte = bring good luck abrazomB1 hug dar un abrazo = hug dar clicB1 to click dar clic = to click dar de comerB1 to feed dar de comer = to feed dar las graciasB1 to thank dar las gracias a = thank someone dar media vueltaB1 to turn around dar media vuelta = to turn around dar una vueltaB1 to take a walk dar una vuelta = to take a walk darse cuentaB1 to notice darse cuenta de = realize darse la vueltaB1 to turn around darse la vuelta = turn around golpemB1 hit dar un golpe = to hit gritomB1 shout dar un grito = to shout mala suertefB1 bad luck dar mala suerte = bad luck patadafB1 kick dar una patada = to kick risafB1 laugh dar risa = make laugh saltomB1 jump dar un salto = to jump sedfB1 thirst dar sed = make thirsty vistazomB1 look dar un vistazo = look brincomB2 jump dar un brinco = jump carcajadafB2 laugh dar una carcajada = laugh dar a luzB2 to give birth dar a luz = to give birth dar ascoB2 to disgust dar asco = to disgust dar marcha atrásB2 to reverse dar marcha atrás = to reverse, back up (also: back down) dar un portazoB2 to slam dar un portazo = to slam dar un sustoB2 to scare dar un susto = to scare darse el lujoB2 to afford darse el lujo de = treat oneself, afford darse prisaB2 to hurry darse prisa = hurry up envidiafB2 envy dar envidia = make envious perezafB2 laziness dar pereza = feel too lazy puntapiémB2 kick dar un puntapié = to kick suspiromB2 sigh dar un suspiro = to sigh vergüenzafB2 shame dar vergüenza = feel ashamed vergüenzafB2 embarrassment dar vergüenza = be embarrassed vueltafB2 lap dar una vuelta = do a lap apretón de manosmC1 handshake dar un apretón de manos = shake hands chillidomC1 scream dar un chillido = to shriek dar la espaldaC1 to turn one's back dar la espalda a = turn one's back on dar rodeosC1 to beat around the bush dar rodeos = to beat around the bush darse a la fugaC1 to flee darse a la fuga = flee darse la manoC1 to shake hands darse la mano = to shake hands
When Spanish gives instead of takes

English speakers "take" many things, from walks to showers to guesses. Spanish, however, prefers to "give" them. If the action involves moving your body or looking at something, there is a good chance Spanish uses dar along with the noun form of the action.

Todas las mañanas, salgo a dar un paseo con mi perro.
(Every morning, I go to take a walk with my dog.)
Me voy a dar una ducha porque hace mucho calor.
(I am going to take a shower because it is very hot.)
Solo quiero dar un vistazo a la tienda.
(I just want to take a look at the store.)

Notice how reflexive pronouns often sneak in when the action directly affects your own body, like taking a bath (darse un baño) or taking a shower (darse una ducha).

Replacing single verbs

Many English actions that use a single verb require dar plus a noun in Spanish. For example, instead of saying "he jumped", Spanish often says "he gave a jump" (dio un salto). Instead of "she screamed", it is "she gave a scream" (dio un grito).

El gato dio un brinco cuando escuchó el ruido.
(The cat jumped when it heard the noise.)
Tienes que dar clic en el botón rojo para continuar.
(You have to click the red button to continue.)
La noticia me sorprendió y di un grito.
(The news surprised me and I yelled.)

One of the most essential expressions in this category is darse cuenta (to realize). Literally translating to "to give oneself account", it is the standard way to express realizing or noticing something.

No me di cuenta de que estabas aquí.
(I didn't realize you were here.)
Expressing feelings and states

While English uses adjectives to say "I am scared" or verbs to say "that disgusts me", Spanish treats these feelings as things that an object or situation "gives" to you. In these cases, you use an indirect object pronoun (like me, te, or le) followed by dar and the feeling.

Las arañas me dan miedo.
(Spiders scare me.)
Ese olor fuerte le da asco.
(That strong smell disgusts him.)
Hoy me da pereza cocinar la cena.
(I feel too lazy to cook dinner today.)

These emotion-based expressions behave just like the verb gustar. The thing causing the emotion is the grammatical subject, and the person experiencing the emotion receives it.

Summary

When trying to translate an action or an emotion into Spanish, resist the urge to find a direct one-word equivalent. If the action involves physical movement, a sudden noise, or a reaction, Spanish likely uses dar paired with a noun. Remembering to "give" a walk, "give" a jump, and let things "give" you fear will instantly make your Spanish sound more authentic.