planear
/planeˈaɾ/
To glide in Spanish is planear.
Planear is used to describe the action of moving softly, smoothly or effortlessly.
Meaning: To move softly, smoothly, or effortlessly (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
To express a continuous action such as 'gliding', use the gerund form planeando. If you want to say that 'he', 'she' or 'it' glided in the past, use the third-person singular preterite form planeó.
How do you pronounce it?
/planeˈaɾ/
Did you know?
- The verb planear is a homonym with another meaning: to plan or organize. Because of this, context is essential to tell if someone is 'gliding' through the air or 'planning' a trip.
- While planear describes gliding through the air, Spanish speakers use the verb deslizarse for gliding on ice or water.
- The word planear shares its root with the English word 'plane', as both derive from the Latin 'planus', meaning 'flat'.
Examples in context
- Un pájaro puede planear por el aire sin agitar sus alas.A bird can glide through the air without moving its wings.This sentence illustrates how a bird can use the verb planear to describe moving through the air.Tatoeba #2505794 by marcelostockle, translation #278219 by CM
- El águila planea majestuosamente por el cielo.The eagle glides majestically through the sky.
- El avión puede planear sobre las montañas.The plane can glide over the mountains.
- Vimos al cisne planear sobre el lago.We saw the swan glide over the lake.
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are watching birds in a park.
- AlejandroMira ese águila, puede planear con mucha facilidad.Look at that eagle, it can glide with great ease.
- MaríaEs verdad, parece que no se mueve.It's true, it looks like it isn't moving.
- AlejandroEs impresionante cómo puede planear así.It is impressive how it can glide like that.
- MaríaSí, es una vista muy relajante.Yes, it is a very relaxing sight.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry planear, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries planear, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
