A word about doing, not understanding

Realizar

reh-ah-lee-SAR — To carry out / achieve — NOT simply "realize"

"Por fin realicé mi sueño de vivir en España."
I finally achieved my dream of living in Spain.

To "realize" something mentally (become aware of it) is "darse cuenta de." "Realizar" is about accomplishing or carrying something out.

"A classic one — I gently correct this in almost every intermediate class I teach."— Graciela