cruza
/KROO-sah/
crosses
A person crosses a bridge to get to the other side.
cruza(verb)
crosses
?when talking about someone or something moving from one side to another
,cross!
?giving a command to someone you know well
is crossing
?describing an ongoing action in the present
📝 In Action
Ella cruza la calle por el paso de peatones.
A1She crosses the street at the crosswalk.
¡Cruza ahora que no vienen coches!
A1Cross now while there are no cars coming!
El camino cruza el bosque.
A2The path crosses the forest.
💡 Grammar Points
One word, two jobs
'Cruza' is what we use to say 'he crosses,' but it's also the exact word we use to tell a friend 'Cross!'
❌ Common Pitfalls
Ordering someone politely
Mistake: "Using 'cruza' with a boss or stranger."
Correction: Use 'cruce' for polite or formal situations. 'Cruza' is only for friends, family, or children.
⭐ Usage Tips
Street Safety
In many Spanish-speaking countries, you will see 'cruza con cuidado' on signs, reminding you to look both ways.
A crossbreed animal combines traits from different breeds.
cruza(noun)
crossbreed
?referring to an animal of mixed breeds
hybrid
?referring to a mix of two different things or species
,crossing
?the biological act of breeding two different types
📝 In Action
Mi perro es una cruza de pastor alemán y labrador.
B1My dog is a cross between a German Shepherd and a Labrador.
Esta planta es una cruza muy resistente.
B2This plant is a very hardy hybrid.
💡 Grammar Points
Noun Gender
Even if the animal is male, you still use 'una cruza' because the word for 'a crossbreed' itself is feminine.
⭐ Usage Tips
Cruza vs. Cruce
Use 'cruza' for biological mixes (dogs, plants). Use 'cruce' for a physical intersection of streets.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: cruza
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'cruza' to describe a mixed-breed animal?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'cruza' the same as 'cruce'?
Not quite. 'Cruza' is usually the action (he crosses) or a biological mix (a crossbreed). 'Cruce' is the physical place where two streets meet (an intersection).
How do I say 'Cross the street' to a stranger?
You should use 'Cruce la calle' (formal) instead of 'Cruza' (informal).