Inklingo

How to Say "to visit" in Spanish

English → Spanish

visitar

/vee-see-TAR//bi.siˈtaɾ/

verbA1general
Use 'visitar' when you intend to go and spend time at a specific place, like a city, museum, or a person's home, with the primary intention of the visit itself.
A small child wearing a backpack stands happily looking up at a tall, colorful lighthouse on a sunny day, illustrating the act of visiting a place.

Examples

Me gustaría visitar el Museo del Prado la próxima vez que vaya a Madrid.

I would like to visit the Prado Museum the next time I go to Madrid.

Quiero visitar a mis abuelos este fin de semana.

I want to visit my grandparents this weekend.

Estamos visitando el Museo del Prado en Madrid.

We are visiting the Prado Museum in Madrid.

¿Has visitado alguna vez la Torre Eiffel?

Have you ever visited the Eiffel Tower?

Using the Personal 'a'

When you visit a specific person or pet, you must use the word 'a' right before the person's name or title (e.g., 'Visito a María'). This 'a' shows that the person is receiving the action.

Visitar vs. Conocer

Use 'visitar' when you go somewhere for a short time. Use 'conocer' when you are talking about seeing a place for the very first time and experiencing it (e.g., 'Conocí París' means 'I experienced/got to know Paris').

Forgetting 'a' with People

Mistake: “Voy a visitar mis padres.”

Correction: Voy a visitar *a* mis padres. (Always use 'a' when the action goes to a person.)

ver

/behr//ˈbeɾ/

verbA2general
Use 'ver' when the focus is on seeing or meeting someone, especially friends or family, where the act of 'seeing' them is the main point, rather than the location.
Two friends happily waving at each other in a park, representing the act of meeting or visiting someone.

Examples

Voy a ver a mi tía el sábado porque hace mucho que no la veo.

I'm going to see my aunt on Saturday because I haven't seen her in a long time.

Voy a ver a mis abuelos el fin de semana.

I'm going to see (visit) my grandparents this weekend.

Tengo que ver al doctor mañana.

I have to see the doctor tomorrow.

Nos vemos el lunes en la oficina.

See you Monday at the office. (Literally: We'll see each other...)

Always Use 'a' with People

When you 'see' a person in this sense (visit or meet them), you must put the little word 'a' right after 'ver'. For example, 'Veo a Juan' (I see Juan).

Forgetting the 'a'

Mistake: “Voy a ver mis abuelos.”

Correction: Say 'Voy a ver a mis abuelos.' Because grandparents are people, they need the 'personal a' to show they are the ones receiving the action of the visit.

Choosing between 'visitar' and 'ver'

Learners often use 'visitar' when they mean 'to see' a friend or family member. Remember that 'visitar' implies going to a place or spending a more formal amount of time, while 'ver' is more about the act of seeing or meeting up with someone.

Related Translations

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