Inklingo

How to Say "to advance" in Spanish

English → Spanish

avanzar

ah-vahn-SAHRaβanˈθaɾ

verbA1
Use 'avanzar' when talking about physical movement forward, like a vehicle or a person moving in space.
A small, cheerful figure is shown mid-stride, running across a bright green field from the left side of the frame toward the right.

Examples

El tren avanzó lentamente hacia la estación.

The train advanced slowly towards the station.

El coche no puede avanzar porque hay mucho tráfico.

The car cannot move forward because there is a lot of traffic.

Cuando la luz se puso verde, todos avanzamos.

When the light turned green, we all advanced (moved forward).

Los soldados avanzaron lentamente por el campo.

The soldiers proceeded slowly across the field.

The 'Z' to 'C' Change

Because Spanish hates mixing 'z' and 'e' or 'i', the verb 'avanzar' changes the 'z' to a 'c' whenever the ending starts with an 'e'. This happens in the 'yo' form of the past (avancé) and the entire present subjunctive (avance, avancemos, etc.).

Forgetting the Spelling Change

Mistake: “Yo avanzé a la meta.”

Correction: Yo avancé a la meta. (Always use 'c' before 'e'.)

adelantar

ah-deh-lahn-tahraðelanˈtaɾ

verbB1
Use 'adelantar' when referring to making progress on a task or project, or when scheduling something earlier than planned.
A person moving a physical object representing a party closer to the current day on a visual timeline.

Examples

Hemos adelantado el proyecto mucho esta semana.

We have advanced the project a lot this week.

Han adelantado la reunión al lunes.

They have brought the meeting forward to Monday.

En primavera, tenemos que adelantar el reloj una hora.

In spring, we have to move the clock forward one hour.

Hoy he adelantado mucho trabajo de la oficina.

I got a lot of office work done (advanced it) today.

Time vs. Space

When using 'adelantar' for time, it always means making something happen SOONER. To make it happen LATER, you use 'atrasar' or 'posponer'.

Double Action

This meaning often involves two people: the one giving the money and the one receiving it. Use pronouns like 'me' (to me) or 'te' (to you) to show who receives the advance.

Confusion with 'Atrasar'

Mistake: “Using 'adelantar' to mean 'to delay'.”

Correction: Think of 'adelantar' like 'ahead'. If you are ahead of schedule, you are early. So 'adelantar' moves an event to an earlier time.

progresar

pro-gre-SARpɾoɣɾeˈsaɾ

verbA2
Use 'progresar' specifically for moving forward in a career, personal development, or a long-term project.
A sequence of three potted plants showing a tiny seedling growing into a healthy, leafy plant.

Examples

Ella espera progresar en la empresa.

She hopes to progress in the company.

Quiero progresar en mi carrera profesional.

I want to progress in my professional career.

Estamos progresando mucho con las clases de español.

We are progressing a lot with the Spanish classes.

Si no estudias, es difícil progresar académicamente.

If you don't study, it is difficult to progress academically.

Using 'en' with progresar

When you want to say what you are progressing in (like a language or a job), always use the word 'en' after 'progresar'.

It's always regular

Good news! This verb follows the exact same pattern as 'hablar' in every tense. No weird stem changes to memorize.

Noun vs. Verb

Mistake: “Hacer un progresar.”

Correction: Hacer un progreso (or simply 'progresar'). 'Progresar' is the action, 'progreso' is the noun (the progress itself).

Physical vs. Abstract Advancement

Learners often confuse 'avanzar' (physical movement) with 'adelantar' or 'progresar' (abstract progress). Remember, if something is physically moving forward, use 'avanzar'. For progress in tasks, careers, or scheduling, use 'adelantar' or 'progresar'.

Related Translations

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