How to Say "to proceed" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to proceed” is “avanzar” — use 'avanzar' when referring to physical movement forward, like a vehicle or a person moving along a route or path, especially when encountering an obstacle..
avanzar
ah-vahn-SAHR/aβanˈθaɾ/
Examples
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'.)
proceder
/pro-seh-DEHR//pɾo.seˈðeɾ/
Examples
Debemos proceder con mucha cautela en este asunto.
We must act with great caution in this matter.
El director no supo cómo proceder ante la emergencia.
The director didn't know how to act in the face of the emergency.
Using 'proceder a'
When you want to say you are starting a task or moving to the next step, use 'proceder a' followed by another action word (infinitive).
Proceeding with 'con' vs 'a'
Mistake: “Using 'proceder a' when you mean 'to act with'.”
Correction: Use 'proceder con' for manners (e.g., with caution) and 'proceder a' for actions (e.g., to vote).
actuar
ak-TOO-ar/akˈtwaɾ/
Examples
Cuando hay una emergencia, hay que actuar sin dudar.
When there is an emergency, one must act without hesitation.
El abogado tiene derecho a actuar en nombre de su cliente.
The lawyer has the right to act on behalf of their client.
Mi perro actuó muy mal con la visita.
My dog behaved very badly with the visitors.
Simple Conjugation Rule
Even though 'actuar' looks regular, remember that an accent mark appears on the 'u' (actúo, actúa, actúe) in most present tense forms to make the pronunciation clear and put stress on that syllable.
Mixing up 'Actuar' and 'Hacer'
Mistake: “Using 'hacer' when you mean 'to behave' or 'to take action' in a general sense.”
Correction: 'Actuar' is better for deliberate actions or behavior; 'hacer' is usually for specific tasks ('hacer la tarea').
caminar
/kah-mee-NAR//ka.miˈnaɾ/
Examples
La investigación camina lentamente, pero hay avances.
The investigation is progressing slowly, but there is progress.
Este es el camino que debemos caminar juntos.
This is the path we must walk together (fig., meaning pursue together).
Tras la cirugía, el paciente ha caminado hacia una recuperación total.
After the surgery, the patient has progressed toward a total recovery.
Metaphorical Movement
Think of this meaning as literally 'walking' down a road in life or business. It describes ongoing action or progress, which is why the continuous tense (está caminando) is often used.
Physical vs. Planned Movement
Related Translations
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