ir a esquiar
/iɾ a eskjaɾ/from spelling rules
To go skiing in Spanish is ir a esquiar.
The phrase is used to describe traveling to a location specifically to participate in the sport of skiing. You can also use the single verb esquiar to refer to the act of skiing itself.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb ir (to go), the preposition a (to) and the infinitive esquiar (to ski).
Which one should you use?
You can simply use the verb esquiar to express the act of skiing.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the past tense, you conjugate the verb ir and keep a esquiar in its infinitive form, such as in fuimos a esquiar (we went skiing). The phrase can also be used with the near-future construction 'ir + a + infinitive' to express an intention to go skiing, for example voy a esquiar (I am going to go skiing).
How do you pronounce it?
/iɾ a eskjaɾ/
Did you know?
- If you use the past tense to say 'I went', you might use 'fui'. This word is a 'suppletive' form, meaning it actually derives from the Latin verb 'esse' (to be) rather than the verb 'ir' (to go).
- Spanish speakers often use the word estación for a ski resort, which is the same word used for a train station or a season of the year.
- While ir a esquiar describes the trip, the noun esquí is used for both the sport and the physical equipment, unlike English which distinguishes between 'skiing' and 'skis'.
Examples in context
- Ay si pudiera ir a esquiar.If only I could go skiing.This sentence shows how to express a wish using ir a esquiar.Tatoeba #4324805 by pchamorro, translation #52310 by CK
- Quiero ir a esquiar con ella.I want to go skiing with her.This sentence shows how to express a desire to go skiing with someone using ir a esquiar.Tatoeba #793352 by chinopinyin, translation #2229970 by jgauthier
- Me gustaría practicar esquí en las montañas de Sierra Nevada.I would like to go skiing in the Sierra Nevada mountains.
- Los invitados podrán esquiar en las pistas de la estación de esquí.The guests will be able to go skiing on the slopes of the ski resort.
- Me gustaría practicar esquí en los Alpes este invierno.I would like to go skiing in the Alps this winter.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are planning a winter trip.
- Elena¿Quieres ir a esquiar este fin de semana?Do you want to go skiing this weekend?
- JavierSí, me encantaría ir a esquiar contigo, Elena.Yes, I would love to go skiing with you, Elena.
- ElenaPerfecto, yo reservaré el hotel.Perfect, I will book the hotel.
- Javier¡Genial, yo prepararé los esquís!Great, I will prepare the skis!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, esquiar, ir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
