How to Say "climbing" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “climbing” is “subiendo” — use 'subiendo' when describing the action of moving upward on a surface like stairs, a hill, or a smaller structure.
subiendo
soo-bee-EN-dohsuˈβjen̪do
Examples
El gato está subiendo al tejado.
The cat is climbing onto the roof.
Mi perro está subiendo las escaleras muy rápido.
My dog is going up the stairs very quickly.
Están subiendo la montaña antes de que oscurezca.
They are climbing the mountain before it gets dark.
El ascensor sigue subiendo, ya casi llegamos al piso diez.
The elevator keeps going up, we are almost at the tenth floor.
Forming Continuous Actions
You use 'subiendo' with the verb 'estar' (to be) to show an action is happening in the moment: 'Estamos subiendo' (We are going up).
Gerund as an Adverb
You can also use 'subiendo' to describe how someone is doing another action: 'Llegó cantando y subiendo las escaleras' (He arrived singing and going up the stairs).
Confusing Gerund and Infinitive
Mistake: “El niño está subir.”
Correction: El niño está subiendo. (Remember the '-ndo' ending is needed after 'estar' to show the ongoing action.)
escalada
ess-kah-LAH-daheskaˈlaða
Examples
La escalada en roca requiere equipo especial.
Rock climbing requires special equipment.
Practicamos escalada todos los fines de semana.
We practice rock climbing every weekend.
Necesitas un casco para hacer escalada en roca.
You need a helmet to go rock climbing.
La escalada al Everest es muy peligrosa.
The climb up Everest is very dangerous.
Always Feminine
This word is a feminine noun. Even if a man is doing the climbing, you always say 'la escalada'.
Using 'Hacer' vs 'Practicar'
To say 'to go climbing,' Spanish speakers usually say 'hacer escalada' (to do climbing) or 'practicar escalada'.
Climbing as an action vs. the sport
Mistake: “Estoy escalada.”
Correction: Estoy escalando (I am climbing) or Me gusta la escalada (I like climbing). Use 'escalada' for the name of the sport, not the action itself.
Sport vs. Action
Related Translations
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