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ascenso

ahs-SEN-so/aˈsenso/

“ascenso” means “promotion” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

promotion

Also: advancement, raise
NounmB1
A person in professional clothes smiling while stepping up onto a small, elevated platform, symbolizing a promotion.

📝 In Action

Después de cinco años, finalmente conseguí el ascenso que merecía.

A2

After five years, I finally got the promotion I deserved.

El ascenso a director implica un gran aumento de sueldo.

B1

The advancement to director involves a big salary increase.

Le dieron el ascenso por su excelente desempeño.

B1

They gave him the promotion for his excellent performance.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • promoción (promotion)
  • subida (raise/increase)

Antonyms

  • descenso (demotion)

Common Collocations

  • pedir un ascenso – to ask for a promotion
  • merecer el ascenso – to deserve the promotion

ascent

Also: climb, rise
NounmB2
A hiker is climbing a steep mountain path toward the summit under a blue sky, illustrating an ascent.

📝 In Action

El ascenso a la montaña más alta fue un desafío agotador.

B2

The ascent of the highest mountain was an exhausting challenge.

El equipo de fútbol celebró su ascenso a la primera división.

B1

The soccer team celebrated their promotion (move up) to the first division.

La aeronave inició el ascenso después del despegue.

B2

The aircraft began its ascent after takeoff.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • subida (climb)
  • escalada (scaling)

Antonyms

  • descenso (descent)

Common Collocations

  • ángulo de ascenso – angle of ascent
  • velocidad de ascenso – rate of climb

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "ascenso" in Spanish:

advancement→ascent→climb→promotion→raise→rise→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: ascenso

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'ascenso' in a professional context?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
ascender(to ascend/to be promoted) — Verb
ascendente(ascending) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
descensoconsenso
📚 Etymology▼

The word comes from the Latin term *ascēnsus*, which literally meant 'a climbing up' or 'a way up.' The modern Spanish meaning of career advancement is a natural extension of this original idea of moving to a higher place.

First recorded: 15th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: ascensoItalian: ascenso

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Frequently Asked Questions

¿Cuál es la diferencia entre 'ascenso' y 'ascender'?

'Ascenso' is a noun, meaning the actual promotion or the climb (the thing itself). 'Ascender' is the verb, meaning the action of moving up or getting promoted (to ascend).

Does 'ascenso' always mean a good thing?

Yes, 'ascenso' always means moving to a higher, usually better, position or level. It is a positive movement, whether in a career or physically.