moverse
/moh-VEHR-seh/
to move
Moverse: to move (change physical position).
moverse(verb)
to move
?change physical position
,to shift
?slight movement
to get up
?from a chair or bed
📝 In Action
El bebé ya puede moverse solo por toda la casa.
A2The baby can already move by himself all over the house.
¡Muévete un poco! Estás bloqueando la vista.
A1Move a little! You're blocking the view.
Me moví para dejarle espacio en el sofá.
A2I shifted to make space for him on the sofa.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Se' Makes It Reflexive
The 'se' at the end tells you that the person doing the action is also receiving the action. If you just use 'mover' (without the 'se'), you are moving an object (e.g., 'mover la silla' - to move the chair).
Stem Change in Present Tense
In the present tense, the 'o' inside the verb changes to 'ue' for most forms (muevo, mueves, mueve, mueven), but not for 'nosotros' or 'vosotros' (movemos, movéis).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the Reflexive Pronoun
Mistake: "Yo muevo a la fiesta."
Correction: Yo me muevo a la fiesta. (Always use me/te/se/nos/os/se when you mean 'I move myself.')
⭐ Usage Tips
Using the Imperative
When giving a command like 'Move!', you attach the pronoun to the end: '¡Muévete!' (informal) or '¡Muévase!' (formal).
Moverse: to get a move on (to hurry up).
moverse(verb)
to get a move on
?to hurry up
,to take action
?to start doing something
to get busy
?start working
📝 In Action
Si no te mueves ahora, vas a perder el tren.
B1If you don't get a move on now, you're going to miss the train.
Tenemos que movernos si queremos terminar el proyecto a tiempo.
B2We have to take action if we want to finish the project on time.
El jefe nos dijo que nos moviéramos con el nuevo plan.
B1The boss told us to get busy with the new plan.
⭐ Usage Tips
Informal Usage
In many countries, '¡Muévete!' is a very common, slightly impatient way to tell someone to hurry up, similar to 'Hurry up!' or 'Get going!'
Moverse: to move in certain circles (socially or professionally).
moverse(verb)
to move in certain circles
?socially or professionally
,to network
?to interact professionally
to mix with
?to socialize
📝 In Action
Él se mueve muy bien en los círculos políticos de la capital.
C1He moves very well in the political circles of the capital (He networks well).
Si quieres ese trabajo, tienes que empezar a moverte en esa industria.
B2If you want that job, you have to start networking in that industry.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Key
This meaning almost always requires a phrase specifying the location or group, like 'moverse en el ambiente artístico' (to move in artistic circles).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: moverse
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'moverse' in the figurative sense of 'taking action'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'mover' and 'moverse'?
'Mover' is used when you move an object (e.g., 'I move the table'). 'Moverse' is used when you, the subject, are the one changing position (e.g., 'I move myself'). The '-se' tells you the action bounces back onto the person doing it.
Why does the 'o' change to 'ue' in the present tense?
'Moverse' is a stem-changing verb. This is a very common pattern in Spanish verbs ending in -er or -ir. The vowel in the middle of the verb changes form to sound stronger when stressed, but only in the 'boot' forms (yo, tú, él/ella, ellos/ellas).