How to Say "to extend" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to extend” is “extender” — use 'extender' when you are making a time period or deadline longer..
extender
/eks-ten-DEHR//eks.tenˈdeɾ/
Examples
Queremos extender nuestra estancia dos días más.
We want to extend our stay for two more days.
El profesor extendió el plazo para entregar el ensayo.
The professor extended the deadline for handing in the essay.
No podemos extender más el debate.
We cannot prolong the debate any longer.
Extender vs. Ampliar
Use 'extender' for things that go further in a line or duration (like a deadline). Use 'ampliar' for things that get bigger in volume or capacity (like a house).
alargar
/ah-lar-GAR//alaɾˈɡaɾ/
Examples
Hemos decidido alargar nuestras vacaciones una semana más.
We have decided to extend our vacation for one more week.
No quiero alargar la reunión innecesariamente.
I don't want to prolong the meeting unnecessarily.
Ella siempre alarga sus historias con muchos detalles.
She always drags out her stories with many details.
Time vs. Space
Spanish uses 'alargar' for both physical length and duration. In English, we often switch between 'lengthen' and 'extend'.
Using 'Longer' incorrectly
Mistake: “Hacer la reunión más larga.”
Correction: Alargar la reunión. (While the first isn't technically wrong, 'alargar' is much more natural and concise).
prolongar
/pro-lon-GAR//pɾolonˈɡaɾ/
Examples
Queremos prolongar nuestra estancia en el hotel dos días más.
We want to extend our stay at the hotel for two more days.
El árbitro decidió prolongar el partido cinco minutos.
The referee decided to extend the game by five minutes.
No hay necesidad de prolongar esta discusión.
There is no need to prolong this argument.
Van a prolongar la línea del metro hasta el aeropuerto.
They are going to extend the subway line to the airport.
The 'GU' Spelling Swap
When the letter 'g' meets an 'e' in Spanish, it sounds like a raspy 'h'. To keep the hard 'g' sound from the original word, we add a silent 'u' in forms like 'prolongué' (I extended).
Talking About Time
Use this word when you want to say something is taking more time than originally planned or expected.
Talking About Distance
In this sense, the word describes physical growth or addition to something that already exists, like a road or a building.
The Missing U
Mistake: “Yo prolongé el viaje.”
Correction: Yo prolongué el viaje. You need the 'u' to keep the 'g' sounding hard, otherwise it sounds like 'pro-lon-HAY'.
continuar
cohn-tee-NWAHR/kontiˈnwaɾ/
Examples
La carretera continúa por muchos kilómetros más.
The highway extends for many more kilometers.
Las negociaciones continuaron durante toda la noche.
The negotiations lasted (continued) throughout the entire night.
Focus on Time and Distance
When used in this sense, 'continuar' often describes the length of time an event takes or the distance a physical thing covers, like a river or a path.
renovar
/reh-noh-BAR//renoˈbaɾ/
Examples
Tengo que renovar mi pasaporte el mes que viene.
I have to renew my passport next month.
Queremos renovar nuestro contrato de alquiler.
We want to renew our rental contract.
Si no renuevas la suscripción, perderás el acceso.
If you don't renew the subscription, you will lose access.
The 'O' to 'UE' Change
This is a 'boot verb.' The 'o' in the middle changes to 'ue' in all present tense forms EXCEPT for 'we' (nosotros) and 'you all' (vosotros).
No Change in the Past
Even though it changes in the present, this verb is perfectly regular in the past (preterite) tense. It stays as 'renov-' throughout.
Forgetting the stem change
Mistake: “Yo renovo mi suscripción.”
Correction: Yo renuevo mi suscripción. Because the stress is on that syllable, the 'o' must split into 'ue'.
Extender vs. Alargar vs. Prolongar
Related Translations
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