¿adónde ir?
/aˈdonde ˈiɾ/word by word
The English phrase "go where" can be expressed in Spanish as ¿adónde ir?
This phrase is used to ask about the destination or location that someone should travel to. In Spanish, it is common to use the preposition adónde or a dónde to mean "to where" or "where to" when the question involves movement toward a destination.
What does it mean word for word?
The word adónde is a combination of the preposition a (to) and the interrogative dónde (where), specifically used for movement toward a destination.
Which one should you use?
You should use adónde instead of dónde when the verb implies movement toward a destination, such as ir (to go).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase ¿adónde ir? uses the infinitive form, which functions like a placeholder or a general inquiry about a destination. In actual conversation, the verb ir is usually conjugated to match the subject, such as using voy for "I go" as in ¿Adónde voy? (Where am I going?).
How do you pronounce it?
/aˈdonde ˈiɾ/
Did you know?
- The past tense fui meaning 'I went' actually comes from the Latin word for 'to be'. This linguistic phenomenon is called suppletion, where a word is replaced by a totally unrelated one.
- While ¿adónde ir? asks about a destination, the related phrase ¿por dónde? asks about the route. A traveler asking ¿adónde? wants a destination, but asking ¿por dónde? wants to know which streets or paths to take.
Examples in context
- Disculpe, ¿a dónde desea ir?Excuse me, where do you wish to go?
- Necesito ir al centro comercial.I need to go to the mall.
- ¿A dónde vas?Where are you going?
- Voy al cine con mis amigos.I'm going to the movies with my friends.
- Oye, ¿adónde te diriges?Hey, where are you heading towards?
- Voy a casa de mi abuela.I'm going to my grandmother's house.
- ¿Adónde vamos a ir de vacaciones?Where are we going to go on vacation?
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are lost in a city.
- ElenaEstamos perdidos, ¿adónde ir?We are lost, where to go?
- DanielMira el mapa, Elena.Look at the map, Elena.
- ElenaNo entiendo el mapa.I don't understand the map.
- DanielVamos a preguntar a alguien.Let's ask someone.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (adónde, ir) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries adónde, ir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
