saltar
“saltar” means “to jump” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
to jump, to leap
Also: to hop
📝 In Action
Los niños saltaban en el trampolín toda la tarde.
A1The children were jumping on the trampoline all afternoon.
Tuve que saltar una valla para entrar al jardín.
A2I had to jump a fence to enter the garden.
to skip, to miss out on
Also: to disregard
📝 In Action
Si lees el resumen, puedes saltar el prólogo.
B1If you read the summary, you can skip the prologue.
No puedes saltar las instrucciones o no funcionará.
B1You can't skip the instructions or it won't work.
to go off, to spring up/out
Also: to explode, to flare up
📝 In Action
Cuando abrí la caja, una araña me saltó a la cara.
B2When I opened the box, a spider sprang out at my face.
La alarma de incendios saltó sin motivo aparente.
B2The fire alarm went off for no apparent reason.
Cuando le preguntaron por su ex, él saltó con un comentario brusco.
C1When they asked him about his ex, he flared up with a sharp comment.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
🔀 Commonly Confused With
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: saltar
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'saltar' in the sense of 'to omit'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes from the Latin verb *saltare*, which meant 'to dance' or 'to leap.' Over time, the meaning in Spanish focused primarily on the sudden, vertical movement of leaping or jumping, rather than dancing.
First recorded: 10th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'saltar' reflexive (e.g., 'saltarse')?
Yes, 'saltarse' is often used when you skip something you shouldn't have, or when you skip a routine thing like a meal or a class. For example, 'Me salté el almuerzo' (I skipped lunch).
What is the difference between 'saltar' and 'brincar'?
Both mean 'to jump.' 'Saltar' is generally the standard, broader term used for any kind of jump, including leaping over objects. 'Brincar' often implies a more casual, playful, or light hop, like a child bouncing around.