Inklingo

How to Say "move" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “move” is “mueven” — use this common verb form when referring to people or things actively changing position or being shifted, often in a general or ongoing sense..

mueven🔊A1

Use this common verb form when referring to people or things actively changing position or being shifted, often in a general or ongoing sense.

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andar🔊A1

This verb specifically refers to the act of walking or moving on foot, emphasizing personal locomotion or strolling.

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mueva🔊A2

Use this form as a command or request to a single person (usted/tú) to shift a position or object.

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muevan🔊A2

This is the command form for 'you all' (ustedes) to move something or change position; it implies a directive.

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jugada🔊A2

This noun refers to a specific move or play within a game, like chess or sports, emphasizing strategy or action.

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pase🔊A2

While 'pase' can mean 'pass' or 'ticket,' in a specific bullfighting context, it refers to a maneuver or movement by the bullfighter.

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traslado🔊A2

Use this noun for a formal change of location, such as moving house, relocating an office, or a transfer.

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English → Spanish

mueven

MWEH-vehn/ˈmwe.βen/

verbA1general
Use this common verb form when referring to people or things actively changing position or being shifted, often in a general or ongoing sense.
Two large, colorful geometric blocks sliding across a smooth wooden floor, clearly in motion.

Examples

Los trabajadores mueven las cajas pesadas al camión.

The workers move the heavy boxes to the truck.

¿Por qué no se mueven? Tenemos prisa.

Why aren't they moving? We are in a hurry.

Ustedes mueven la reunión a la tarde, ¿verdad?

You (plural, formal) are moving the meeting to the afternoon, right?

The 'O' to 'UE' Change

In the present tense, the 'o' inside the verb stem changes to 'ue' whenever the stress falls on that syllable (like in 'mueven'). The only exceptions are 'nosotros' and 'vosotros' (movemos, movéis).

andar

ahn-DAHR/anˈdaɾ/

verbA1general
This verb specifically refers to the act of walking or moving on foot, emphasizing personal locomotion or strolling.
A colorful storybook illustration showing a child in a red jacket walking along a winding path surrounded by grass.

Examples

Me gusta andar por la playa al amanecer.

I like walking along the beach at sunrise.

Anduvimos diez kilómetros antes de encontrar el pueblo.

We walked ten kilometers before finding the village.

El niño ya anda solo, sin ayuda de sus padres.

The child already walks by himself, without his parents' help.

Irregular Past Tense

The past tense (preterite) is tricky! It uses the special stem 'anduv-' instead of the regular 'andar'. Memorize: 'anduve', 'anduvo', 'anduvieron'.

mueva

MWEH-vah/ˈmwe.βa/

verb (Conjugated Form)A2general
Use this form as a command or request to a single person (usted/tú) to shift a position or object.
A simple illustration of a small red cube sliding across a flat, bright blue surface, clearly indicating movement and a shift in position.

Examples

Por favor, mueva el coche de aquí.

Please, move the car from here.

Mi jefe quiere que yo mueva la reunión al jueves.

My boss wants me to move the meeting to Thursday.

Dudo que la nueva ley mueva la economía tan rápido.

I doubt that the new law will move the economy so quickly.

Dual Role of 'Mueva'

'Mueva' has two main functions: it is the formal command (Usted, telling someone to move) and it is the special verb form (subjunctive) used after expressions of desire, doubt, or necessity (for 'yo', 'él/ella', and 'usted').

Stem Change E → UE

The base verb 'mover' is irregular. The 'o' changes to 'ue' in most present tense forms, but 'mueva' comes from the 'e' changing to 'ue' in the root, which then influences the subjunctive forms.

Forgetting the Subjunctive

Mistake: “Quiero que él mueve la caja.”

Correction: Quiero que él mueva la caja. (Spanish requires this special verb form when the subject of the desire is different from the subject of the action.)

muevan

/MWEH-bahn//ˈmwe.βan/

verbA2general
This is the command form for 'you all' (ustedes) to move something or change position; it implies a directive.
Three stylized figures wearing brightly colored outfits walking swiftly together across a green field, illustrating the command for a group to move.

Examples

¡Muevan esos coches inmediatamente! No podemos pasar.

Move those cars immediately! We can't get through.

El jefe quiere que ustedes muevan la reunión a la tarde.

The boss wants you all to move the meeting to the afternoon.

Espero que los vientos no muevan las velas tan rápido.

I hope the winds don't move the sails so quickly.

Dual Role: Command or Wish

The form 'muevan' is used both as a formal command to a group of people (ustedes) and as the special verb form (subjunctive) when talking about what you want, doubt, or request that they (ellos/ellas) or you all (ustedes) do.

Stem Change Reminder

The base verb 'mover' changes its vowel 'o' to 'ue' whenever the stress is on that part of the word. This happens in 'muevan' but not in 'movamos' (we move).

Confusing Imperative Forms

Mistake: “Using 'mueven' (present tense) instead of 'muevan' for a command: 'Ustedes mueven la caja.'”

Correction: Use 'muevan' for the formal command: '¡Muevan la caja!' (Move the box!). 'Mueven' just states a fact; 'Muevan' gives the order.

jugada

hoo-GAH-dah/xuˈɣaða/

nounA2games, sports
This noun refers to a specific move or play within a game, like chess or sports, emphasizing strategy or action.
A close-up of a wooden chessboard where a friendly cartoon hand is gently lifting a white knight chess piece off its square, symbolizing a move.

Examples

Fue una jugada brillante del delantero, por eso metió el gol.

It was a brilliant play by the forward, that's why he scored the goal.

Ahora te toca a ti. ¿Cuál es tu próxima jugada?

Now it's your turn. What is your next move?

El entrenador diseñó una jugada secreta para el último cuarto.

The coach designed a secret play for the last quarter.

Gender Reminder

Even though 'jugada' comes from the verb 'jugar,' it is a feminine noun, so you must always use 'la' or 'una' with it.

pase

/PAH-seh//ˈpa.se/

nounA2bullfighting
While 'pase' can mean 'pass' or 'ticket,' in a specific bullfighting context, it refers to a maneuver or movement by the bullfighter.
A colorful rectangular access pass or ticket granting entry to an event or location.

Examples

El torero realizó un pase espectacular.

The bullfighter performed a spectacular pass.

Necesito mi pase de abordar para subir al avión.

I need my boarding pass to get on the plane.

Compramos un pase de tres días para el parque de diversiones.

We bought a three-day pass for the amusement park.

El jugador de fútbol dio un pase perfecto a su compañero.

The soccer player made a perfect pass to his teammate.

Confusing `pase` with `paseo`

Mistake: “Quiero comprar un paseo para el concierto.”

Correction: Quiero comprar un pase para el concierto. 'Pase' is the ticket or permit itself. 'Paseo' is the activity of going for a walk or a stroll.

traslado

/trah-SLAH-doh//tɾasˈlaðo/

nounA2formal, relocation
Use this noun for a formal change of location, such as moving house, relocating an office, or a transfer.
A stack of cardboard boxes and a small plant sitting on a wooden floor in a new room.

Examples

El traslado a la nueva oficina será este viernes.

The move to the new office will be this Friday.

Mi primo pidió un traslado a la sucursal de Madrid.

My cousin asked for a transfer to the Madrid branch.

La empresa pagará todos los gastos de traslado.

The company will pay for all the relocation expenses.

Noun vs. Verb

Even though it looks like the 'I' form of the verb 'trasladar' (I move), it is almost always used as a masculine noun meaning 'the move' or 'the transfer'.

Traslado vs. Mudanza

Mistake: “Using 'traslado' when you specifically mean moving all your furniture and belongings to a new home.”

Correction: Use 'mudanza' for moving house, and 'traslado' for the more general act of moving something, someone, or a work position.

Verb Conjugations vs. Nouns

Learners often confuse the verb forms like 'mueven' (they move) with nouns like 'jugada' (a play) or 'traslado' (a relocation). Remember that 'mueven' describes an action of moving, while 'jugada' and 'traslado' are specific instances or concepts of a move.

Related Translations

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