Inklingo

How to Say "to travel" in Spanish

English → Spanish

viajar

vee-ah-HAR/bjaˈxaɾ/

verbA1general
Use 'viajar' for the general act of going on a trip or journey, especially to a distant place or for pleasure.
A joyful hiker with a small backpack walks along a winding dirt path towards colorful, distant mountains under a bright blue sky.

Examples

Me encanta viajar a países nuevos.

I love traveling to new countries.

¿Has viajado mucho por trabajo este año?

Have you traveled a lot for work this year?

Viajamos en tren porque es más relajante.

We travel by train because it is more relaxing.

Regular -AR Verb

Viajar follows the most common Spanish verb pattern. If you know how to conjugate 'hablar' (to speak), you know how to conjugate 'viajar'!

Prepositions for Travel

To say how you travel, use the preposition 'en' (viajar en coche, viajar en tren). To say where you travel to, use 'a' (viajar a México).

Confusing 'Viajar' and 'Viaje'

Mistake: “Hacer un viajar (To do a travel)”

Correction: Hacer un viaje (To take a trip). Remember, 'viajar' is the action (verb), and 'viaje' is the noun (the trip itself).

ir

/eer//iɾ/

verbA1general
Use 'ir' when referring to the act of going somewhere, whether it's a short trip to a local place or the beginning of a longer journey.
A person walking along a path that leads towards a distant, sunlit mountain, representing the verb 'ir' which means 'to go'.

Examples

Voy a la tienda.

I'm going to the store.

¿Ustedes van al cine esta noche?

Are you all going to the movies tonight?

Mis padres fueron a España el año pasado.

My parents went to Spain last year.

Talking About the Future: Ir + a + verb

A very common way to talk about the future is using 'ir' like 'going to'. Just use the right form of 'ir', add 'a', and then the action verb. Example: 'Voy a comer' means 'I am going to eat'.

Always Use 'a' for Destinations

When you say you are going to a place, you almost always need the little word 'a' after 'ir'. Example: 'Voy a la playa' (I'm going to the beach).

Confusing 'ir' and 'venir'

Mistake: “'Vengo a la tienda ahora.' (When you are currently at home, not at the store).”

Correction: 'Voy a la tienda ahora.' Use 'ir' for movement away from you (going), and 'venir' for movement towards you (coming).

Crazy Past Tense Forms

Mistake: “Thinking the past tense is 'yo í' or 'yo fuió'.”

Correction: The past tense of 'ir' is totally different: 'fui, fuiste, fue...'. It's weird, but you just have to memorize it. The good news? It's the exact same as the past tense for 'ser' (to be)!

moverme

/mo-BEHR-meh//moˈβeɾme/

verbB1general
Use 'moverme' to describe how you get around or navigate between different locations, often within a city or region.
A person riding a bicycle through a green park path.

Examples

Prefiero moverme en metro para evitar el tráfico.

I prefer to get around by subway to avoid traffic.

General Travel vs. Specific Movement

Learners often confuse 'viajar' (general travel) with 'moverme' (getting around). Remember that 'viajar' is about the journey itself, while 'moverme' focuses on the mode or act of navigating from point A to point B.

Related Translations

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