Inklingo

How to Say "climb" in Spanish

English → Spanish

ascenso

/ahs-SEN-so//aˈsenso/

nounB2general
Use 'ascenso' when referring to the noun form, meaning the act or process of climbing, especially up a height like a mountain or stairs.
A hiker is climbing a steep mountain path toward the summit under a blue sky, illustrating an ascent.

Examples

El ascenso a la montaña más alta fue un desafío agotador.

The ascent of the highest mountain was an exhausting challenge.

El equipo de fútbol celebró su ascenso a la primera división.

The soccer team celebrated their promotion (move up) to the first division.

La aeronave inició el ascenso después del despegue.

The aircraft began its ascent after takeoff.

suban

SOO-bahn/'su.βan/

verbA2formal
Use 'suban' as a formal plural command (ustedes) meaning 'go up' or 'climb up', typically used when directing multiple people to ascend to a higher level.
A high quality simple colorful storybook illustration showing three children enthusiastically climbing a winding path up a small green hill.

Examples

¡Suban al tercer piso para la reunión!

Go up to the third floor for the meeting!

Señores, suban sus maletas al tren.

Gentlemen, bring your suitcases onto the train.

Suban el volumen, por favor, no oigo nada.

Turn up the volume, please, I can't hear anything.

Formal Plural Command

"Suban" is the command form used when addressing a group of people formally (like saying 'You all, go up'). It comes from the 'ustedes' form of the imperative mood.

Negative Commands

To tell a group NOT to go up, you just add 'no' in front: '¡No suban aquí!' (Don't go up here!).

Confusing Formal and Informal

Mistake: “Using 'suban' when speaking informally to friends in Spain (where 'vosotros' is used).”

Correction: For informal plural commands in Spain, use 'subid'. In Latin America, 'suban' is used for both formal and informal plural commands.

Noun vs. Command

Learners often confuse 'ascenso' (a noun for the act of climbing) with commands like 'suban' (go up). Remember that 'ascenso' describes the action itself, while 'suban' is a direct instruction to perform the action.

Related Translations

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