subir las escaleras
/subiɾ las eskaleɾas/from spelling rules
The English phrase "go up the stairs" is translated into Spanish as subir las escaleras.
The phrase is used to describe the action of moving from a lower floor to a higher floor by climbing a set of stairs.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb subir (to climb or go up) and the noun phrase las escaleras (the stairs).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain Latin American regions, you may encounter the alternative subir las gradas. Additionally, in some regions, people may say sube por las escaleras instead of sube las escaleras to emphasize the direction of the movement.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb subir is a regular -ir verb in the present tense, such as in the form subo las escaleras (I go up the stairs).
How do you pronounce it?
/subiɾ las eskaleɾas/
Did you know?
- While subir las escaleras describes the act of climbing, Spanish speakers use the same verb subir to describe increasing the volume of a radio or the heat of a stove.
- The verb subir shares a Latin ancestor with the English word 'subside', though in Spanish it describes an upward movement rather than sinking.
- The verb subir is also used to describe the act of getting into a vehicle, such as a car, bus or train, rather than just climbing stairs.
Examples in context
- Por favor, vaya subiendo las escaleras y encontrará la oficina en el segundo piso.Please, go up the stairs and you will find the office on the second floor.
- Le ruego que se dirija hacia arriba por las escaleras y llegará a la sala de reuniones.I kindly ask you to go up the stairs and you will reach the meeting room.
- Sube las escaleras y encontrarás la habitación de invitados en el segundo piso.Go up the stairs and you will find the guest room on the second floor.
- Voy a subir las escaleras para llegar al mirador.I am going to go up the stairs to reach the viewpoint.
- Puedes ir subiendo las escaleras mientras yo busco las llaves.You can start going up the stairs while I search for the keys.
- Debemos subir las escaleras para llegar al segundo piso.We must go up the stairs to reach the second floor.
- ¿Puedes subir las escaleras con estas cajas?Can you go up the stairs with these boxes?
- Ella prefiere subir las escaleras en vez de usar el ascensor.She prefers to go up the stairs instead of using the elevator.
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are entering their apartment building.
- ElenaEl ascensor está roto hoy.The elevator is broken today.
- AlejandroEntonces tenemos que subir las escaleras.Then we have to go up the stairs.
- ElenaVivimos en el cuarto piso, Alejandro.We live on the fourth floor, Alejandro.
- AlejandroNo pasa nada, es buen ejercicio.It's okay, it is good exercise.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries las, subir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
