Inklingo

How to Say "movement" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “movement” is “movimiento” — use this for the general, everyday act of changing physical position or location, or for a political/social cause or group.

movimiento🔊A2/B1

Use this for the general, everyday act of changing physical position or location, or for a political/social cause or group.

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desplazamiento🔊B1

Use this when referring to the displacement or shifting of something, especially in a more technical or scientific context like geology or physics.

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migraciónB1

Use this specifically for the movement of people or animals from one region or country to another.

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movilidad🔊B1

Use this to describe the ability to move freely or the range of motion, often in a medical or physical therapy context.

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escuela🔊B2

Use this when referring to an artistic, intellectual, or philosophical movement or trend.

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evoluciónC1

Use this for a complex sequence of movements, especially in dance, gymnastics, or military formations.

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moción🔊C1

Use this for a formal proposal or a specific, often theoretical, act of moving or changing position, like in physics.

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movilización🔊C1

Use this for the act of organizing and moving people or resources, especially for a specific purpose like military deployment or therapy.

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English → Spanish

movimiento

moh-vee-mee-EHN-tohmo.βiˈmjen.to

nounA2/B1general
Use this for the general, everyday act of changing physical position or location, or for a political/social cause or group.
A red ball mid-roll across a bright green field, depicted with simple motion lines indicating speed and change of position.

Examples

Hizo un movimiento brusco y se cayó.

He made a sudden movement and fell down.

Necesitas más movimiento para ejercitar los músculos.

You need more motion to exercise your muscles.

Los movimientos de la gimnasta fueron perfectos.

The gymnast's movements were perfect.

El movimiento ecologista tiene muchos seguidores jóvenes.

The ecological movement has many young followers.

Use with 'Hacer'

To talk about performing a single action or gesture, Spanish often uses the verb 'hacer' (to make/do) with 'movimiento': 'Hacer un movimiento' (To make a movement).

Countable Noun

In this sense, 'movimiento' is countable, meaning you can have 'un movimiento' or 'varios movimientos' (one movement, several movements).

desplazamiento

des-pla-sah-MYEN-tohdesplaθaˈmjento

nounB1general/technical
Use this when referring to the displacement or shifting of something, especially in a more technical or scientific context like geology or physics.
A bright red ball rolling across a flat wooden surface, leaving a faint trail behind it.

Examples

El desplazamiento de las placas tectónicas causa terremotos.

The movement of tectonic plates causes earthquakes.

Su desplazamiento en la pista de baile es muy elegante.

Their movement on the dance floor is very elegant.

Necesitamos medir el desplazamiento del objeto.

We need to measure the object's displacement.

The '-miento' Ending

When you see a word ending in '-miento,' it is almost always a masculine noun created from a verb. In this case, it comes from 'desplazar' (to move/shift).

Gender Identification

Since it ends in '-o,' it is masculine. Use 'el' or 'un' with it.

Moving House

Mistake: “Using 'desplazamiento' to mean moving to a new home.”

Correction: Use 'mudanza' for moving house. 'Desplazamiento' is just the physical act of traveling or shifting position.

migración

nounB1general
Use this specifically for the movement of people or animals from one region or country to another.

Examples

La migración de las mariposas monarca es un espectáculo increíble.

The migration of monarch butterflies is an incredible sight.

movilidad

mo-bee-lee-DAHDmoβiliˈðað

nounB1general/medical
Use this to describe the ability to move freely or the range of motion, often in a medical or physical therapy context.
A person walking briskly through a green park, showing ease of movement.

Examples

El fisioterapeuta me ayudó a recuperar la movilidad del hombro.

The physical therapist helped me regain mobility in my shoulder.

Los estiramientos son excelentes para mejorar tu movilidad.

Stretching is excellent for improving your mobility.

Este hotel tiene facilidades para personas con movilidad reducida.

This hotel has facilities for people with reduced mobility.

The '-dad' Rule

Most Spanish words ending in '-dad' are feminine. This means you should always use 'la' or 'una' with movilidad.

Singular vs. Plural

When talking about the general ability to move, keep it singular ('la movilidad'), just like in English.

Gender Error

Mistake: “El movilidad es importante.”

Correction: La movilidad es importante. (Because words ending in -dad are feminine).

escuela

es-KWEH-lahesˈkwela

nounB2artistic/intellectual
Use this when referring to an artistic, intellectual, or philosophical movement or trend.
Three stylized portraits of different people, all rendered using the exact same distinctive, thick, geometric brushstrokes and a muted color palette, illustrating a shared artistic style or school of thought.

Examples

Este pintor pertenece a la escuela holandesa del siglo XVII.

This painter belongs to the 17th-century Dutch school.

La escuela de Frankfurt tuvo un gran impacto en la teoría social.

The Frankfurt School had a great impact on social theory.

evolución

nounC1technical/performance
Use this for a complex sequence of movements, especially in dance, gymnastics, or military formations.

Examples

El pelotón ejecutó una evolución perfecta en el campo de entrenamiento.

The platoon executed a perfect maneuver on the training field.

moción

mo-SYOHNmoˈsjon

nounC1formal/technical
Use this for a formal proposal or a specific, often theoretical, act of moving or changing position, like in physics.
A colorful bird mid-flight with its wings spread wide against a clear blue sky.

Examples

La ley de la moción perpetua es un concepto fascinante.

The law of perpetual motion is a fascinating concept.

Sintió una moción interna que le impulsó a ayudar.

He felt an internal impulse that drove him to help.

Abstract Movement

In this sense, 'moción' often refers to an abstract or internal movement rather than just walking or running.

movilización

mo-bee-lee-sa-syohnmoβiliθaˈθjon

nounC1general/military/medical
Use this for the act of organizing and moving people or resources, especially for a specific purpose like military deployment or therapy.
A line of bright red fire trucks and emergency vehicles driving down a road with lights flashing.

Examples

El gobierno ordenó la movilización de las tropas.

The government ordered the deployment of the troops.

La movilización del paciente debe ser cuidadosa.

The movement of the patient must be careful.

Hubo una rápida movilización de recursos tras el terremoto.

There was a rapid mobilization of resources after the earthquake.

Use of 'de'

In these contexts, we almost always say 'movilización de' followed by what is being moved (troops, patients, resources).

Confusing with 'movilidad'

Mistake: “La movilización de la articulación.”

Correction: While used in therapy, 'movilidad' refers to the ability to move, while 'movilización' is the actual act of moving it.

General Movement vs. Specific Types

The most common confusion is between 'movimiento' (general physical change or cause) and more specific terms like 'desplazamiento' (physical shift, often technical) or 'migración' (moving from place to place). Always consider if a more precise Spanish word better captures the specific type of movement you mean.

Related Translations

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