ascender
“ascender” means “to go up” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
to go up
Also: to climb, to rise
📝 In Action
El globo empezó a ascender lentamente al amanecer.
A2The balloon began to rise slowly at dawn.
Tardamos tres horas en ascender hasta la cima de la montaña.
B1It took us three hours to climb to the top of the mountain.
Vimos cómo el humo ascendía por la chimenea.
B1We watched how the smoke rose through the chimney.
to be promoted
Also: to rise through the ranks
📝 In Action
Después de años de esfuerzo, por fin la ascendieron a directora.
B1After years of effort, they finally promoted her to director.
Espero ascender pronto en la empresa.
B1I hope to be promoted soon in the company.
El soldado ascendió a sargento.
B2The soldier rose to the rank of sergeant.
to amount to
Also: to total
📝 In Action
La factura del hotel asciende a quinientos dólares.
B2The hotel bill amounts to five hundred dollars.
Los daños del terremoto ascienden a millones.
B2The earthquake damage totals millions.
El número de víctimas asciende a veinte.
C1The number of victims has risen to twenty.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: ascender
Question 1 of 3
How do you say 'I am promoted' naturally in Spanish?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'ascendere', which combines 'ad' (to/toward) and 'scandere' (to climb). It literally means 'to climb toward something'.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'subir' and 'ascender'?
'Subir' is common and informal, used for stairs or getting in a car. 'Ascender' is more formal and used for mountains, career ranks, or large sums of money.
Is 'ascender' a regular verb?
Almost! It follows the pattern of 'er' verbs, but it has a spelling change where the 'e' becomes 'ie' in some forms (like 'yo asciendo').
Can I use 'ascender' for an elevator?
You usually say 'subir en el ascensor' (to go up in the elevator). The noun for the elevator itself is 'ascensor', which comes from 'ascender'!