atravesar
/ah-trah-veh-SAHR/
to cross
The action of 'to cross' (atravesar) is shown by the person moving across the river.
atravesar(verb)
to cross
?a road, a river, a field
,to go across
?a distance
to traverse
?formal or literary crossing
📝 In Action
Necesitamos atravesar el puente para llegar al otro lado.
A2We need to cross the bridge to get to the other side.
El tren atraviesa los campos de trigo muy rápido.
B1The train crosses the wheat fields very quickly.
💡 Grammar Points
Stem Change Rule
This verb is irregular because the 'e' in the middle changes to 'ie' whenever the stress falls on that syllable (in the 'boot' forms of the present tense).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the Stem Change
Mistake: "Yo 'atraveso' (Incorrect form)"
Correction: Yo 'atravieso' (The 'e' must change to 'ie' in the first person singular).
⭐ Usage Tips
Physical Crossing
Use 'atravesar' when you are moving through or over a large space or barrier, emphasizing the path taken from start to finish.
'To pierce' (atravesar) is depicted by the spear going completely through the apple.
atravesar(verb)
to pierce
?a sharp object going through something
to run through
?an object
,to penetrate
?a barrier
📝 In Action
La bala atravesó la pared de yeso.
B2The bullet pierced the plaster wall.
El cuchillo atravesó la carne fácilmente.
B2The knife ran through the meat easily.
⭐ Usage Tips
Physical Damage
In this context, 'atravesar' implies that the object went completely through the material, exiting on the other side.
This image visualizes 'to go through' (atravesar) a difficult period, represented by the figure exiting the dark tunnel into the light.
atravesar(verb)
to go through
?a difficult time, a crisis
,to experience
?an ordeal or phase
to undergo
?a process or transformation
📝 In Action
La compañía atraviesa una crisis financiera sin precedentes.
C1The company is going through an unprecedented financial crisis.
Después de la cirugía, tuvo que atravesar un largo proceso de rehabilitación.
C1After the surgery, he had to undergo a long rehabilitation process.
⭐ Usage Tips
Figurative Use
This meaning is the figurative extension of 'crossing' a physical barrier; here, you are 'crossing' a difficult period of time or challenge.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: atravesar
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'atravesar' in its figurative sense (meaning to experience a difficulty)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'atravesar' a regular verb?
No, 'atravesar' is an irregular verb. It has a 'stem change' where the 'e' changes to 'ie' in certain present tense forms (like 'yo atravieso'). However, in the past tenses (like the Preterite and Imperfect), it behaves completely regularly.
What is the difference between 'atravesar' and 'cruzar'?
Both mean 'to cross.' 'Cruzar' is often used for simple crossings (like streets or arms), while 'atravesar' often implies moving across a larger or longer distance, or going *through* something (like a forest, a desert, or a difficult time).