Inklingo

How to Say "to slip" in Spanish

English → Spanish

resbalar

/rre-sba-lar//resβaˈlaɾ/

verbA2general
Use 'resbalar' when you lose your balance and are about to fall due to a slippery surface.
A person slipping on a banana peel on a shiny floor.

Examples

Ten cuidado, puedes resbalar en el suelo mojado.

Be careful, you might slip on the wet floor.

El coche resbaló sobre el hielo.

The car slid over the ice.

Se me resbaló el plato de las manos.

The plate slipped out of my hands.

Adding the 'se' for people

When a person slips, we often add 'se' to the verb (resbalarse). It highlights that the action happened to the person accidentally: 'Me resbalé' (I slipped).

Things vs. People

Use plain 'resbalar' when talking about objects or surfaces being slippery, but 'resbalarse' when a person loses their footing.

Using 'deslizar' for accidents

Mistake: “Me deslicé en el baño.”

Correction: Me resbalé en el baño. 'Deslizar' usually implies a smooth, intentional slide, while 'resbalar' is usually an accident.

patinar

/pah-tee-nahr//patiˈnaɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'patinar' when a vehicle or object loses traction and slides uncontrollably on a surface, often due to conditions like ice or rain.
A person's foot in a sneaker slipping forward on a wet, shiny surface with a small puddle.

Examples

El coche patinó en la carretera debido a la lluvia.

The car skidded on the road due to the rain.

Ten cuidado, el suelo está mojado y puedes patinar.

Be careful, the floor is wet and you might slip.

Patinar vs. Resbalar

While both mean 'to slip,' 'patinar' often implies a loss of traction in wheels or organized movement, while 'resbalar' is more common for accidentally slipping on a banana peel or wet floor.

escurrir

/es-koo-reer//eskuˈriɾ/

verbB2general
Use 'escurrir' when something slides out of your grasp or slides smoothly out of a confined space.
A small wet bar of soap sliding quickly across a smooth floor.

Examples

El jabón se me escurrió de las manos.

The soap slipped out of my hands.

Intentó escurrir el bulto para no hacer el trabajo.

He tried to dodge his responsibility to avoid doing the work.

Se escurrió por la puerta trasera sin que nadie lo viera.

He slipped out the back door without anyone seeing him.

Reflexive Use

For this meaning, the word is often used as 'escurrirse' (to slip oneself). Use the extra 'se' to show something is sliding away from you.

Escurrir vs. Resbalar

Mistake: “Me escurrí en el hielo.”

Correction: Me resbalé en el hielo. 'Resbalar' is for losing your footing; 'escurrir' is for things sliding through your hands or sneaking away.

Resbalar vs. Patinar

Learners often confuse 'resbalar' (losing balance) with 'patinar' (losing traction, often involving vehicles). Remember, 'resbalar' is about your own footing, while 'patinar' implies uncontrolled sliding, usually of something with wheels.

Related Translations

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