marchar
/mar-CHAR/
march
When people walk together in a disciplined formation, they march.
marchar(verb)
march
?to walk in an organized group
,walk
?to move on foot
parade
?to participate in a procession
,go
?to travel (less common than 'ir')
📝 In Action
Los soldados marcharon durante horas bajo la lluvia.
A2The soldiers marched for hours under the rain.
La manifestación marchó por el centro de la ciudad.
B1The demonstration walked (marched) through the center of the city.
💡 Grammar Points
Regular -AR Verb
Marchar follows the standard pattern for all verbs ending in -ar. Once you know the pattern for one, you know it for all!
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Movement
Use 'marchar' when the movement is organized, like a group walking together, or when you want a more formal verb than 'caminar' (to walk).
To leave or depart is often expressed using the reflexive form, marcharse.
marchar(verb)
leave
?to depart (usually 'marcharse')
,go away
?to travel or move oneself away
take off
?to start a journey
📝 In Action
Nos marchamos después de la cena para no molestar.
B1We left after dinner so as not to bother anyone.
¿A qué hora te vas a marchar mañana?
A2What time are you going to leave tomorrow?
💡 Grammar Points
The Power of 'Se'
When you add 'se' (or 'me', 'te', 'nos', etc.) to 'marchar', you create 'marcharse'. This emphasizes the action is done by the subject to themselves, focusing on the act of separating from a place, like saying 'to move oneself away'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Marchar vs. Marcharse
Mistake: "Using 'Yo marcho de la fiesta' (I march from the party)."
Correction: Say 'Yo me marcho de la fiesta'. Using the reflexive form 'marcharse' is necessary when you mean 'to leave' or 'to go away'.
⭐ Usage Tips
A Polite Exit
'Marcharse' is a very common and neutral way to talk about leaving, often interchangeable with 'irse', but sometimes sounding slightly more formal.
Marchar can mean that a machine or system is successfully working or functioning.
marchar(verb)
work
?to function (a machine or system)
,go
?to progress (a plan or situation)
run
?how an engine or business operates
,be going (well/badly)
?describing status
📝 In Action
El negocio marcha muy bien este trimestre.
B2The business is going very well this quarter.
Pregunté cómo marchaba la construcción de la casa.
C1I asked how the construction of the house was progressing.
El motor ya no marcha, creo que está roto.
B2The engine no longer works, I think it's broken.
💡 Grammar Points
Impersonal Use
This meaning is often used in the third person (él/ella/usted) to talk about non-human things or situations, like asking '¿Cómo marcha todo?' (How is everything going?).
⭐ Usage Tips
Figurative Movement
Think of this meaning as a metaphor: if something is 'marching,' it is moving forward, progressing, and functioning correctly.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: marchar
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'marchar' in the figurative sense of 'to function or progress'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'marchar' a strong synonym for 'caminar' (to walk)?
Yes, but 'marchar' often suggests a slightly more deliberate, formal, or measured pace than 'caminar.' It's perfect for when people are walking in a line or procession.
How do I use 'la marcha'?
'La marcha' is the noun form and has a few common meanings: 'the pace' (e.g., 'a buen marcha' = at a good pace), 'the gear' in a car, or 'a march/demonstration'.