In Spanish there are two different verbs which mean ‘to give’ — dar and regalar. let’s first start by examing the verb dar since it is used more frequently and is an important part of many idiomatic expressions.

Dar is most often used as follows: Give me a glass of water / Dáme un vaso de agua or I want to give you my telephone number/ Quiero darle mi número de teléfono.

We also use dar as part of many important idioms. Here are a few of the most common expressions.

(Me) da lo mismo – It’s all the same (to me), or (I) don’t mind.
Dar lata a – to bother or be a nuisance.
¡Dele! – Hurry up!
Dar de beber – to give a drink
Dar de comer – to feed
Dar a conocer – to make known
Dar con – to bump or run into a person or thing
Dar – to hit someone
Darle a cada cual lo suyo – give someone what they deserve
¿Qué más da? – What difference does it make?
Dar en el clavo – to hit the nail on the head

A very common idiomatic form of dar with a noun is similar to ‘make’ in English. For example, Me da verguenza / It makes me ashamed or Me da ganas de gritar/ It makes me want to scream.

The verb regalar also means to give but in the sense of ‘giving away’ something like a gift. For instance, Le regalé un libro para su cumpleaños / I gave her a book for her birthday.

Tiquismo of the week:
Al gato viejo ratón tierno. This expression refers to older men who like young women.