Inklingo
← Dictionary

descender

deh-sen-DAIR/desθenˈdeɾ/

to go down, to descend

Also: to get off
VerbA2irregular (e-to-ie change) er
A hiker walking down a steep mountain path toward a lush green valley.
gerunddescendiendo
past Participledescendido
infinitivedescender

📝 In Action

El avión empezó a descender lentamente.

A2

The plane began to descend slowly.

Tuvimos que descender la montaña antes del anochecer.

B1

We had to go down the mountain before nightfall.

Por favor, desciendan del autobús por la puerta trasera.

B1

Please, get off the bus through the back door.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • descender los escalones – to go down the steps
  • descender de un vehículo – to step off a vehicle

to decrease, to drop

Also: to be relegated
VerbB1irregular (e-to-ie change) er
A simple thermometer showing the red liquid level dropping low, surrounded by snowflakes.
gerunddescendiendo
past Participledescendido
infinitivedescender

📝 In Action

Las temperaturas van a descender esta noche.

A2

Temperatures are going to drop tonight.

El desempleo descendió un tres por ciento.

B1

Unemployment decreased by three percent.

El equipo descendió a segunda división.

B2

The team was relegated to the second division.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • descender el nivel – to lower the level
  • descender de precio – to drop in price

to be descended from

Also: to originate
VerbB2regular in this meaning, but usually shares conjugation of base verb erformal
A large oak tree with deep roots showing a small sapling growing next to it.
gerunddescendiendo
past Participledescendido
infinitivedescender

📝 In Action

Muchos habitantes de esta isla descienden de piratas.

B2

Many inhabitants of this island are descended from pirates.

Ella dice que desciende de la nobleza europea.

C1

She says she is descended from European nobility.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • provenir (to come from)
  • venir de (to come from)

Common Collocations

  • descender de una familia – to be descended from a family

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesdescendieran
yodescendiera
túdescendieras
vosotrosdescendierais
nosotrosdescendiéramos
él/ella/usteddescendiera

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesdesciendan
yodescienda
túdesciendas
vosotrosdescendáis
nosotrosdescendamos
él/ella/usteddescienda

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesdescendieron
yodescendí
túdescendiste
vosotrosdescendisteis
nosotrosdescendimos
él/ella/usteddescendió

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesdescendían
yodescendía
túdescendías
vosotrosdescendíais
nosotrosdescendíamos
él/ella/usteddescendía

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesdescienden
yodesciendo
túdesciendes
vosotrosdescendéis
nosotrosdescendemos
él/ella/usteddesciende
View All Tenses & Moods →

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: descender

Question 1 of 3

How do you say 'I am going down' using 'descender'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From Latin 'descendere', which is made of 'de-' (down) and 'scandere' (to climb). So it literally means 'to climb down'.

First recorded: 12th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: descendFrench: descendreItalian: scendere

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'bajar' and 'descender'?

'Bajar' is the common, everyday word for 'going down'. 'Descender' is more formal and is often used in technical, journalistic, or travel contexts.

Is 'descender' irregular in the past tense?

No, 'descender' is regular in the preterite (simple past) tense. The vowel change only happens in the present tense and present subjunctive.

Can I use 'descender' for stepping off a train?

Yes, although 'bajar' or 'bajarse' is more common in conversation, you will often hear 'descender' in formal train station announcements.