Inklingo

How to Say "to prolong" in Spanish

English → Spanish

alargar

/ah-lar-GAR//alaɾˈɡaɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'alargar' when you are physically making something longer or extending its duration, often implying a direct action on the object or time itself.
A person drawing a long, continuous line with a crayon across a large sheet of paper.

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).

extender

/eks-ten-DEHR//eks.tenˈdeɾ/

verbB1general
Choose 'extender' when referring to the act of making a period of time, a stay, or an agreement last for a greater duration, often in a more formal or administrative context.
A long, winding wooden bridge reaching out across a wide blue river toward a distant forest.

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).

prolongar

/pro-lon-GAR//pɾolonˈɡaɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'prolongar' when the focus is on making something continue for an extended period, especially when it involves delaying an end or extending a state or situation.
A candle burning slowly with a long trail of melted wax, representing the extension of time.

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.

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.

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'.

Choosing Between 'Alargar' and 'Extender'

Learners often confuse 'alargar' and 'extender' because both can mean 'to extend'. 'Alargar' is often more about the physical act of making something longer or increasing its length/duration, while 'extender' is frequently used for time periods, stays, or agreements.

Related Translations

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