Inklingo

How to Say "forward" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “forward” is “adelante” — use 'adelante' when indicating a direction of movement, telling someone to go ahead or move forward in space.

adelante🔊A2

Use 'adelante' when indicating a direction of movement, telling someone to go ahead or move forward in space.

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delantero🔊A2

Use 'delantero' specifically when referring to the position of a player in sports like soccer or hockey who plays in the front line.

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atacante🔊A2

Use 'atacante' to refer to a player whose role is to attack and score goals, often used interchangeably with 'delantero' but sometimes emphasizing the attacking role more.

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envíeA2

Use 'envíe' (formal command of 'enviar') when instructing someone to send an item, such as an email, letter, or package.

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atrevido🔊B1

Use 'atrevido' to describe someone who is overly bold, cheeky, or forward in their behavior, especially towards elders or in social situations.

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ofrecido🔊C1

Use 'ofrecido' to describe someone who is pushy, presumptuous, or forward in a way that suggests they are overeager to help or assert themselves inappropriately.

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English → Spanish

adelante

a-deh-LAN-teha.ðeˈlan.t̪e

adverbA2general
Use 'adelante' when indicating a direction of movement, telling someone to go ahead or move forward in space.
A solitary traveler walking purposefully down a straight, clear dirt road toward the distant horizon.

Examples

Sigue recto y verás la tienda adelante.

Keep going straight and you will see the shop ahead.

Para llegar a la plaza, tienes que seguir todo recto hacia adelante.

To get to the square, you have to keep going straight ahead.

El ejército continuó su marcha adelante, sin detenerse.

The army continued its march onward, without stopping.

Mira hacia adelante, no hacia atrás.

Look forward, not backward.

Describing Movement

'Adelante' tells you the direction of movement. It answers the question 'where to?' (¿A dónde?). For example, 'Caminar adelante' (to walk forward).

'Adelante' vs. 'Delante'

Mistake: “Estoy adelante de la casa.”

Correction: Estoy delante de la casa. (I am in front of the house.) Use 'delante' to say something is located *in front of* something else. Use 'adelante' for movement *forward*.

delantero

deh-lan-teh-rohdelanˈteɾo

nounA2sports
Use 'delantero' specifically when referring to the position of a player in sports like soccer or hockey who plays in the front line.
A soccer player in a bright jersey running toward a goal with a ball at their feet.

Examples

El delantero marcó dos goles en el partido.

The forward scored two goals in the match.

El delantero marcó un gol increíble en el último minuto.

The forward scored an incredible goal in the last minute.

Necesitamos fichar a un delantero centro con experiencia.

We need to sign an experienced center forward.

El equipo juega con tres delanteros muy rápidos.

The team plays with three very fast strikers.

People and Gender

When referring to a male player, use 'el delantero'. For a female player, change it to 'la delantera'.

Using 'adelante' instead

Mistake: “Él es un buen adelante.”

Correction: Él es un buen delantero. 'Adelante' is a direction (forward), while 'delantero' is the person (the forward).

atacante

ah-tah-KAHN-tehataˈkante

nounA2sports
Use 'atacante' to refer to a player whose role is to attack and score goals, often used interchangeably with 'delantero' but sometimes emphasizing the attacking role more.
A soccer player in a bright jersey kicking a ball towards a goal.

Examples

El equipo necesita un atacante rápido para romper la defensa.

The team needs a fast forward to break the defense.

El equipo compró a un atacante brasileño muy rápido.

The team bought a very fast Brazilian forward.

Nuestra mejor atacante está lesionada y no jugará el domingo.

Our best striker (female) is injured and won't play on Sunday.

El entrenador decidió poner a tres atacantes hoy.

The coach decided to put in three forwards today.

Plurals

To talk about more than one, simply add -es: 'los atacantes'.

Atacante vs. Delantero

Mistake: “Thinking they are completely different.”

Correction: They are often used as synonyms in sports, though 'delantero' is slightly more common for the specific position on the field.

envíe

verbA2formal
Use 'envíe' (formal command of 'enviar') when instructing someone to send an item, such as an email, letter, or package.

Examples

Por favor, envíe su solicitud antes de la fecha límite.

Please, send your application before the deadline.

atrevido

ah-treh-VEE-dohatɾeˈβiðo

adjectiveB1informal
Use 'atrevido' to describe someone who is overly bold, cheeky, or forward in their behavior, especially towards elders or in social situations.
A small child playfully sticking their tongue out while hiding behind a wooden chair.

Examples

Fue muy atrevido al interrumpir la conversación.

He was very forward/bold to interrupt the conversation.

¡No seas atrevido! Respeta a tus mayores.

Don't be cheeky! Respect your elders.

Le hizo una pregunta muy atrevida a su jefe.

He asked his boss a very forward question.

Tone Matters

Mistake: “Using it with a boss or stranger.”

Correction: Only use it with people you know well unless you intend to be critical.

ofrecido

oh-freh-SEE-dohofɾeˈsiðo

adjectiveC1informal
Use 'ofrecido' to describe someone who is pushy, presumptuous, or forward in a way that suggests they are overeager to help or assert themselves inappropriately.
A storybook illustration depicting a scene where a character is leaning aggressively close to another character, who is visibly recoiling and uncomfortable, illustrating a lack of social boundaries.

Examples

No seas ofrecido y espera a que te pregunten.

Don't be pushy/forward and wait to be asked.

No seas tan ofrecido; espera tu turno para hablar.

Don't be so pushy; wait your turn to speak.

Ella es muy ofrecida con los clientes, lo cual es inapropiado.

She is very forward with clients, which is inappropriate.

Understanding the Tone

In this sense, 'ofrecido' means you are making yourself too available or putting yourself forward inappropriately. It is almost always a negative description of behavior.

Direction vs. Sports Player

The most common confusion is between 'adelante' (direction) and 'delantero'/'atacante' (sports player). Remember that 'adelante' is an adverb for movement, while 'delantero' and 'atacante' are nouns for a specific role on a sports team.

Related Translations

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