25 de noviembre de 2025
Area: Grammar/Syntax
🔍 In this post:
DAR y RECIBIR – Verbs used in celebrations
Both dar (to give) and recibir (to receive) are useful when talking about gifts, parties, and other celebrations like birthdays or Christmas.
🔹 DAR (to give)
This verb shows who gives something and who receives it.
Basic sentence (usully performed by students in basic level):
Mis padres dan regalos en Navidad.
(My parents give presents at Christmas.)
But to say who gets the presents, you need to use an indirect object.
Step-by-step:
Add “a + person” to show who receives the gift:
→ Mis padres dan regalos a mí.
Replace “a mí” with an indirect object pronoun:
→ Mis padres me dan regalos (a mí).
(“Me” = to me; “a mí” can be added for emphasis but isn’t required.)
✅ Common indirect object pronouns:
me (to me)
te (to you – informal)
le (to him/her/you formal)
nos (to us)
les (to them / you all)
Past tense (preterite) example:
El año pasado, mis padres me dieron regalos en Navidad.
🔹 RECIBIR (to receive)
This verb is simpler! It focuses only on what is received. You don’t need to include who gave it unless you want to.
Present tense:
Yo recibo regalos en Navidad.
(I receive presents at Christmas.)
Past tense (preterite):
El año pasado recibí regalos en Navidad.
📝 Tip: If you’re not sure how to use dar with two people (giver + receiver), try using recibir instead—it’s often easier for beginners!
For more practice: Think in situations where you can include a side-by-side comparison chart if possible (e.g., dar a alguien vs. recibir algo).
This post is simple version and uses simpler vocabulary, clearer steps, positive framing, and accurate grammatical terminology appropriate for IGCSE/IB MYP or early IB learners. It also scaffolds the learning process and empowers students with a practical strategy (switching to recibir when unsure).
That's all for now!
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Thank you for your Interest!
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Comments and questions are welcome, it helps to learn each other.