Inklingo
← Dictionary

alternar

ahl-tehr-nahr/alteɾˈnaɾ/

“alternar” means “to alternate” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to alternate

Also: to take turns, to rotate
VerbB1regular ar
A row of apples where the colors switch between red and green.
gerundalternando
past Participlealternado
infinitivealternar

📝 In Action

Debes alternar el estudio con periodos de descanso.

B1

You should alternate studying with rest periods.

Los dos hermanos alternan el cuidado de su abuelo.

B2

The two brothers take turns taking care of their grandfather.

En el jardín, alternamos flores rojas y blancas.

B1

In the garden, we alternated red and white flowers.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • alternar turnos – to switch shifts
  • alternar el paso – to alternate your stride

to socialize

Also: to mingle, to rub shoulders
VerbB2regular ar
Spain
A small group of diverse people sitting together on a park bench talking and laughing.
gerundalternando
past Participlealternado
infinitivealternar

📝 In Action

Le gusta alternar con gente de diversos países.

B2

She likes to socialize with people from various countries.

Es importante alternar con los clientes fuera de la oficina.

B2

It is important to mingle with clients outside of the office.

Fuimos al club para alternar un poco.

C1

We went to the club to socialize a bit.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • socializar (to socialize)
  • relacionarse (to relate/connect with others)

Antonyms

  • aislarse (to isolate oneself)

Common Collocations

  • alternar con alguien – to socialize with someone
  • salir a alternar – to go out socializing/to go for drinks

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesalternaran
yoalternara
túalternaras
vosotrosalternarais
nosotrosalternáramos
él/ella/ustedalternara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesalternen
yoalterne
túalternes
vosotrosalternéis
nosotrosalternemos
él/ella/ustedalterne

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesalternaron
yoalterné
túalternaste
vosotrosalternasteis
nosotrosalternamos
él/ella/ustedalternó

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesalternaban
yoalternaba
túalternabas
vosotrosalternabais
nosotrosalternábamos
él/ella/ustedalternaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesalternan
yoalterno
túalternas
vosotrosalternáis
nosotrosalternamos
él/ella/ustedalterna
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "alternar" in Spanish:

to alternate→to mingle→to rotate→to socialize→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: alternar

Question 1 of 3

Which sentence correctly uses 'alternar' to mean 'taking turns'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
alternativa(alternative) — Noun
alternado(alternated/alternate) — Adjective
alternancia(alternation) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'alternare', which comes from 'alter' (the other). It literally means doing one thing and then 'the other'.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: alternateFrench: alterner

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'alternar' formal?

It is neutral. You can use it in a business meeting to discuss schedules, or casually in Spain to talk about going to bars.

Can I use 'alternar' instead of 'socializar'?

Yes, but 'alternar' often implies a bit more movement or 'mingling' with different people, whereas 'socializar' is a bit more general.

Is it a regular verb?

Yes, it follows the standard pattern for all -ar verbs in all tenses.