deambular
“deambular” means “to wander” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
to wander
Also: to stroll, to roam
📝 In Action
El turista deambulaba por las calles estrechas sin un mapa.
B1The tourist was wandering through the narrow streets without a map.
Me gusta deambular por el parque cuando necesito pensar en mis cosas.
A2I like to stroll through the park when I need to think about my things.
Vimos a un gato deambulando por el jardín durante toda la noche.
B2We saw a cat roaming around the garden all night long.
to ambulate
Also: to walk
📝 In Action
El cirujano recomendó que el paciente empezara a deambular al día siguiente.
C1The surgeon recommended that the patient start walking the next day.
Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Indicative
Preterite
Imperfect
Present
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: deambular
Question 1 of 3
Which of these situations best describes 'deambular'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'deambulāre', which combines 'de-' (completely) and 'ambulāre' (to walk). It is a direct relative of the English words 'amble' and 'ambulance'.
First recorded: 15th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'deambular' more formal than 'caminar'?
Yes, 'deambular' sounds more sophisticated or literary. In everyday casual speech, people usually say 'dar una vuelta' or 'caminar'.
Can I use it for animals?
Absolutely! You can use it to describe a dog wandering around the neighborhood or a cow roaming a field.
Does it have to be slow?
Usually, yes. The word implies a relaxed or even aimless pace, rather than a brisk walk with a goal.