Inklingo

How to Say "run" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “run” is “corra” — use 'corra' when referring to the act of moving quickly on foot, often in a race or for exercise. This is the most direct translation for the action of running.

corra🔊B1

Use 'corra' when referring to the act of moving quickly on foot, often in a race or for exercise. This is the most direct translation for the action of running.

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carrera🔊A2

Use 'carrera' for a competition of speed, such as a foot race, or for a career path. It can also refer to a snag or 'run' in stockings.

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racha🔊A2

Use 'racha' to describe a continuous series or streak of events, like a winning streak in sports or a period of good or bad luck.

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ejecutado🔊B1

Use 'ejecutado' when referring to a plan or process that has been carried out or implemented, especially in a technical or business context.

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marchar🔊B2

Use 'marchar' to describe how something functions or proceeds, particularly an engine, a business, or a situation.

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ciclo🔊B2

Use 'ciclo' for a series or sequence of related events, such as lectures, performances, or phases in a process.

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corrida🔊A2

Use 'corrida' specifically for a scheduled trip, like a bus route in Mexico, or to refer to a bullfight.

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English → Spanish

corra

KOH-rrahˈko.ra

verbB1general
Use 'corra' when referring to the act of moving quickly on foot, often in a race or for exercise. This is the most direct translation for the action of running.
A cheerful person running quickly across a green grassy field with a blue sky in the background.

Examples

Espero que ella corra en el parque hoy.

I hope she runs in the park today.

No creo que el agua corra por aquí.

I don't think the water flows through here.

¡Por favor, corra!

Please, run! (to a person you address formally)

The 'Switch' Rule

For verbs ending in -ER (like correr), the 'special forms' used for wishes or polite commands switch their ending to -A. That's why 'corre' becomes 'corra'.

Confusing 'Corre' and 'Corra'

Mistake: “Using 'corre' when talking to a boss or stranger.”

Correction: Use 'corra' for formal situations (Usted) and 'corre' for friends (Tú).

carrera

kah-RREH-rrahkaˈreɾa

nounA2general
Use 'carrera' for a competition of speed, such as a foot race, or for a career path. It can also refer to a snag or 'run' in stockings.
Three stylized runners sprinting intensely on a red track toward a clearly marked finish line banner, illustrating a competition of speed.

Examples

Mi hermano ganó la carrera de 100 metros.

My brother won the 100-meter race.

La carrera de Fórmula 1 fue muy emocionante.

The Formula 1 race was very exciting.

Vamos a echar una carrera hasta la esquina.

Let's have a race to the corner.

¡Qué mala suerte! Se me hizo una carrera en las medias nuevas.

What bad luck! I got a run in my new stockings.

racha

rah-chahˈrat͡ʃa

nounA2general
Use 'racha' to describe a continuous series or streak of events, like a winning streak in sports or a period of good or bad luck.
A line of five identical golden trophies standing in a row on a wooden shelf.

Examples

El equipo lleva una racha de cinco victorias seguidas.

The team is on a five-game winning streak.

Estoy pasando por una mala racha en el trabajo.

I'm going through a rough patch at work.

¡Qué buena racha tienes!

What a lucky streak you're having!

Always Feminine

Even though it ends in 'a', just remember it always uses feminine words like 'la' or 'una'. Use 'buena' or 'mala' to describe it.

Using 'racha' for long eras

Mistake: “Using 'racha' for a 10-year period.”

Correction: Use 'racha' for shorter, temporary bursts of luck or behavior. For long historical periods, use 'época'.

ejecutado

eh-heh-koo-TAH-dohexekuˈtaðo

adjectiveB1general
Use 'ejecutado' when referring to a plan or process that has been carried out or implemented, especially in a technical or business context.
A completed bridge spanning a small stream, representing a finished project.

Examples

El plan fue ejecutado sin ningún error.

The plan was carried out without any errors.

La pieza musical fue ejecutada a la perfección por el pianista.

The musical piece was performed perfectly by the pianist.

El código ha sido ejecutado correctamente.

The code has been run correctly.

Matching the Gender

Since this word describes a thing, its ending must match. Use 'ejecutado' for masculine items (like 'el plan') and 'ejecutada' for feminine ones (like 'la tarea').

Using with 'Ser' vs 'Haber'

When you use 'ser' (to be) before it, you are describing the state of a task. When you use 'haber' (to have), you are saying that someone has finished an action.

Forgetting the 'A' for Feminine Words

Mistake: “La obra fue ejecutado.”

Correction: La obra fue ejecutada. (Because 'obra' is feminine, the description needs to end in 'a' too.)

marchar

mar-CHARmaɾˈtʃaɾ

verbB2general
Use 'marchar' to describe how something functions or proceeds, particularly an engine, a business, or a situation.
A close-up view of two large, brightly colored interlocking mechanical gears smoothly rotating.

Examples

El negocio marcha muy bien este trimestre.

The business is going very well this quarter.

Pregunté cómo marchaba la construcción de la casa.

I asked how the construction of the house was progressing.

El motor ya no marcha, creo que está roto.

The engine no longer works, I think it's broken.

Impersonal Use

This meaning is often used in the third person (él/ella/usted) to talk about non-human things or situations, like asking '¿Cómo marcha todo?' (How is everything going?).

ciclo

SEE-kloh/ˈθiklo/ (Spain), /ˈsiklo/ (Latin America)

nounB2general
Use 'ciclo' for a series or sequence of related events, such as lectures, performances, or phases in a process.
Three distinct but related objects—a vintage movie camera, a microphone, and a closed book—arranged in a neat horizontal row, symbolizing a sequence or collection of events.

Examples

Asistimos al ciclo de conferencias sobre historia antigua.

We attended the series of lectures on ancient history.

El cineclub presentará un ciclo de películas de Almodóvar.

The film club will present a series/run of Almodóvar films.

corrida

ko-rree-dahkoˈriða

nounA2specific (Mexico)
Use 'corrida' specifically for a scheduled trip, like a bus route in Mexico, or to refer to a bullfight.
A matador in a traditional gold-trimmed suit holding a large red cape in front of a bull in a sandy arena.

Examples

La corrida de toros comienza a las cinco de la tarde.

The bullfight starts at five in the afternoon.

¿A qué hora sale la última corrida para la Ciudad de México?

What time does the last bus run leave for Mexico City?

Llevo una semana corrida de mucho trabajo.

I've had a straight week of a lot of work.

Feminine Noun

Even though 'corrida' comes from the verb 'correr' (to run), it is always a feminine word. Use 'la' or 'una' with it.

Using 'de corrida' as a Description

When you want to say you did something without stopping, use 'de corrida' after the action. For example: 'Leí el libro de corrida' (I read the book in one sitting).

Corrida vs. Carrera

Mistake: “Voy a participar en una corrida de 5km.”

Correction: Voy a participar en una carrera de 5km. Use 'carrera' for athletic races; 'corrida' is mostly for bullfights or bus schedules.

Action vs. Series

Learners often confuse 'corra' (the action of running) with 'carrera' (a race or career) and 'racha' (a streak). Remember that 'corra' is the verb for the physical act, while 'carrera' and 'racha' refer to events or sequences.

Related Translations

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