sigue adelante
/siɡe adelante/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'just keep moving' can be translated into Spanish as sigue adelante.
This phrase is an encouraging expression used to tell someone to persevere or continue making progress despite difficulties. While it is often used metaphorically for emotional perseverance, it can also be used literally to instruct someone to continue moving in a physical direction.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb seguir (to follow/continue) and the adverbial phrase adelante (forward/ahead), meaning 'keep going forward'.
Which one should you use?
sigue adelante is often used for emotional or metaphorical perseverance, though as noted, it can also be used for physical movement.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, you can express 'just keep moving' as solo sigue adelante or simplemente sigue avanzando. In Spain, the phrase continúa avanzando is used. In Argentina, you might say seguí adelante to convey the same idea.
How does it change in a sentence?
To address a group of people, use the plural form sigan adelante.
How do you pronounce it?
/siɡe adelante/
Did you know?
- The word adelante is a distant relative of the English word 'anti'. Both trace their roots back to the Proto-Indo-European root *h₂ent-, which referred to being 'opposite' or 'in front'.
- The adverb adelante can also be used as a command to tell someone to 'come in' or 'come forward', changing the sense of perseverance into a direction of approach.
- The shift from sigue to seguí in Argentina is not just a regional accent but a grammatical shift to the voseo form, which replaces the standard 'you' used in most other Spanish-speaking countries.
Examples in context
- En medio de la adversidad, manténgase en movimiento.In the face of adversity, just keep moving.
- Continúe avanzando a pesar de los desafíos que puedan surgir.Keep advancing despite the challenges that may arise.
- Si te caes, simplemente sigue adelante.If you fall, just keep going.
- No te detengas incluso si el camino es difícil.Don't stop, even if the road is tough.
- Enfócate en tus sueños y seguí adelante sin mirar atrás.Focus on your dreams and keep moving forward without looking back
- No te rindas, sigue adelante.Don't give up, keep moving forward.
- Aunque sea difícil, sigue adelante.Even if it's difficult, just keep moving.
- Sigue adelante con tus estudios.Just keep moving forward with your studies.
Example conversation
Alejandro is feeling discouraged about his new job.
- MaríaSé que es un reto, pero no te detengas.I know it's a challenge, but don't stop.
- AlejandroA veces siento que no puedo más.Sometimes I feel like I can't go on.
- MaríaÁnimo, Alejandro, sigue adelante.Cheer up, Alejandro, just keep moving.
- AlejandroGracias, María, lo intentaré.Thanks, María, I will try.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries adelante, CC BY-SA 4.0.
