comentar

Comentar is a Spanish verb meaning to make remarks about something, to explain or discuss a subject, or to annotate a text. It is used to express opinions, provide clarification, or add notes in a document or discussion. In journalism and media, a comentarista offers analysis and interpretation of events.

Etymology and conjugation: The verb derives from Latin commentāri, passing through medieval Latin into Spanish. It follows the regular -ar conjugation: yo comento, tú comentas, él comenta, nosotros comentamos, vosotros comentáis, ellos comentan. A frequent construction is “se comenta que…” to report rumors or unconfirmed information; this impersonal form signals hearsay rather than assertion.

Usage and nuance: Comentar emphasizes the act of commenting—adding remarks, explanations, or analysis—rather than simply expressing a personal opinion (opinar). The noun is “el comentario.” Related terms include “comentarista” (commentator) and, in computing contexts, “comentario” (code comment).

Computing use: In programming and documentation, to comentar means to insert comments in source code, statements that explain logic but are not executed. Comments aid understanding and maintenance of the code. Example: “Comenta el código para aclarar la función de cada bloque.”