patinar
“patinar” means “to skate” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
to skate
Also: to rollerblade
📝 In Action
Me gusta patinar en el parque con mis amigos.
A1I like to skate in the park with my friends.
Ella patina sobre hielo todos los inviernos.
A2She ice skates every winter.
Si quieres aprender a patinar bien, necesitas practicar el equilibrio.
B1If you want to learn to skate well, you need to practice your balance.
to slip
Also: to skid
📝 In Action
El coche patinó en la carretera debido a la lluvia.
B1The car skidded on the road due to the rain.
Ten cuidado, el suelo está mojado y puedes patinar.
A2Be careful, the floor is wet and you might slip.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: patinar
Question 1 of 3
Which phrase specifically means 'to ice skate'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the French word 'patiner', which comes from 'patin' (a type of shoe or clog). This ultimately traces back to 'patte', meaning 'paw' or 'foot'.
First recorded: 18th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'patinar' always a sport?
No. While it usually refers to skating as a hobby, it also means to slip or skid, like a car on an icy road.
What is the difference between 'patinar' and 'resbalar'?
'Patinar' is often intentional (skating) or describes wheels losing grip. 'Resbalar' is almost always accidental (slipping on a wet floor).
How do you say 'to skateboard'?
You can say 'patinar en monopatín' or simply use the verb 'hacer skate' in modern informal Spanish.