salir para
/saliɾ paɾa/from spelling rules
To leave for in Spanish is salir para.
The phrase is used to describe departing from a place in order to go to a specific destination.
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between the starting point and the destination. Use salir de to indicate the place you are leaving (leave from) and salir para to indicate the place you are going to (leave for).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain Latin American regions, specifically Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, you may also see partir para used to express the idea of leaving for a destination.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase changes depending on the tense you need. To say 'I left for' in the preterite tense, use salí para. For the continuous form 'leaving for', use the gerund saliendo para.
How do you pronounce it?
/saliɾ paɾa/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, the act of salir can also refer to dating someone, meaning 'to go out' with a partner.
- The verb salir is a linguistic relative of the English word 'sally', as seen in the expression to 'sally forth'.
- In Spanish, the word para can act as a verb meaning 'he/she/it stops', which is the third-person singular of 'parar'.
Examples in context
- Voy a salir para Madrid mañana.I am leaving for Madrid tomorrow.
- El vuelo parte hacia México en dos horas.The flight leaves for Mexico in two hours.
- Mañana tomaré rumbo a la playa.Tomorrow, I'm leaving for the beach.
- Me voy a la fiesta.I'm leaving for the party.
- Mi vuelo parte para Buenos Aires en una hora.My flight leaves for Buenos Aires in an hour.
- Salgo para la ciudad a las ocho.I am leaving for the city at eight.
- Voy a salir para la estación ahora.I am going to leave for the station now.
- Ellos deben salir para el aeropuerto pronto.They must leave for the airport soon.
- ¿A qué hora vas a salir para Madrid?What time are you leaving for Madrid?
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are at home preparing for a trip.
- MateoSofía, ¿ya estás lista para salir para el hotel?Sofía, are you ready to leave for the hotel yet?
- SofíaSí, Mateo, ya tengo todo en la maleta.Yes, Mateo, I already have everything in the suitcase.
- MateoPerfecto, entonces vamos a salir para allá de inmediato.Perfect, then let's leave for there immediately.
- SofíaNo olvides las llaves del coche.Don't forget the car keys.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries para, salir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
