¡Hola, amigos! Do you remember the reflexive form of poner (to put)? It’s ponerse, and it has several meanings.
In this post we’ll learn a few verbs formed by adding prefixes to ponerse. The great thing is that all of these verbs share exactly the same conjugation patterns as ponerse, so you don’t have to learn those patterns again. First, here’s a list. Triana, a voice from Colombia, will read the verbs aloud for you:
| # | ESPAÑOL | ENGLISH |
| 1 | DESCOMPONERSE | TO DECOMPOSE, TO FEEL UNWELL, TO GET SICK |
| 2 | DISPONERSE | TO PREPARE ONESELF, TO SET ONESELF UP |
| 3 | EXPONERSE | TO EXPOSE ONESELF |
| 4 | IMPONERSE | TO ASSERT ONESELF |
| 5 | INTERPONERSE | TO INTERVENE |
| 6 | OPONERSE | TO OPPOSE ONESELF |
| 7 | PROPONERSE | TO INTEND, TO BE DETERMINED TO |
| 8 | REPONERSE | TO RECOVER, TO GET BETTER |
| 9 | SOBREPONERSE | TO OVERCOME |
| 10 | SUPERPONERSE | TO OVERLAP |
| 11 | SUPONERSE | TO BE SUPPOSED |
Here are examples showing how each of these verbs is used:
1. El cadáver comenzó a descomponerse rápidamente.
The corpse began to decompose quickly.
2. Me dispuse a salir temprano para evitar el tráfico.
I prepared myself to leave early to avoid traffic.
3. No quiero exponerme al sol por mucho tiempo.
I don’t want to expose myself to the sun for too long.
4. En la reunión, logró imponerse con sus argumentos.
In the meeting, he managed to assert himself with his arguments.
5. Se interpuso entre ellos para evitar una pelea.
He intervened between them to prevent a fight.
6. Ella se opuso a la decisión del comité.
She opposed the committee’s decision.
7. Me propongo terminar el proyecto esta semana.
I intend to finish the project this week.
8. Después de la gripe, tardó varias semanas en reponerse.
After the flu, it took him several weeks to recover.
9. Logró sobreponerse a las dificultades y seguir adelante.
He managed to overcome the difficulties and keep going.
10. Las imágenes se superponen en la pantalla durante la edición.
The images overlap on the screen during editing.
11. Se supone que debemos llegar a las ocho en punto.
We are supposed to arrive at eight o’clock.
Games will be coming soon!
