marchó
/mar-chó/
left
The character marchó (left) the house.
marchó(verb)
left
?departed from a place
,went away
?action of leaving
walked off
?leaving on foot
📝 In Action
Ella marchó de la casa sin decir adiós.
A2She left the house without saying goodbye.
El tren marchó justo a tiempo, no pudimos alcanzarlo.
B1The train departed right on time; we couldn't catch it.
Usted marchó rápidamente después de la reunión.
B1You (formal) left quickly after the meeting.
💡 Grammar Points
A Single Past Action
The form 'marchó' describes an action that was completed and finished at a specific point in the past, like 'yesterday' or 'at 5 o'clock'.
Non-Reflexive vs. Reflexive
While 'marchó' (he/she left) is correct, you often hear 'se marchó' (from the verb 'marcharse'), which means almost the exact same thing but emphasizes the person moving themselves away.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Past Tenses
Mistake: "Using 'marchaba' when talking about a single completed action."
Correction: 'Marchó' is for a quick, finished action (She left the room). 'Marchaba' is for ongoing or repeated actions in the past (She used to leave early).
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Departure
Use 'marchó' when talking about scheduled departures (trains, formal meetings) or when the act of leaving is somewhat formal or definitive.
The group marchó (marched) across the field.
📝 In Action
El ejército marchó por las calles de la capital.
A1The army marched through the capital's streets.
El grupo de protesta marchó hasta la plaza central.
B2The protest group marched to the central square.
⭐ Usage Tips
Focus on Purposeful Walking
This meaning implies walking with a specific goal, rhythm, or purpose, often in a group, unlike the general verb 'caminó' (walked).
The process marchó (went) smoothly, like this train.
marchó(verb)
went
?how a process developed
,worked out
?how a plan succeeded
functioned
?how a machine operated
📝 In Action
La presentación marchó sin ningún problema técnico.
B1The presentation went without any technical problems.
El negocio marchó muy bien el año pasado.
B2The business worked out very well last year.
💡 Grammar Points
Used with Impersonal Subjects
This usage usually applies to things, systems, or plans (like 'the project' or 'the meeting'), not people. It describes the progress of that thing.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: marchó
Question 1 of 2
Which English sentence correctly uses the meaning of 'marchó' that describes how a plan or event unfolded?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'marchó' the same as 'se marchó'?
They are very similar! 'Marchó' is the simple past of 'marchar' (to leave). 'Se marchó' is the simple past of 'marcharse' (to go away). 'Se marchó' is often more common in everyday speech and slightly emphasizes the finality of the departure.
How do I know if 'marchó' means 'marched' or 'left'?
Context is key! If the subject is a person, a train, or a vehicle, it usually means 'left' or 'departed.' If the subject is an army, a protest group, or a large organized crowd, it means 'marched' (walking in formation).