movimiento
/mobiˈmjento/
The English word motion translates to Spanish as movimiento.
movimiento refers to a change of place or position. While it describes the physical act of moving, it is also the standard Spanish word used to describe a social or political movement. To express that something is currently 'in motion', use the phrase en movimiento.
Meaning: change of place or position (noun)
Which one should you use?
movimiento refers to the physical act of moving, but it is also the standard term for a social or political movement.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of movimiento is movimientos.
How do you pronounce it?
/mobiˈmjento/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish speaking countries, movimiento is used as slang to describe a 'deal' or a 'shady business arrangement'. If someone mentions a movimiento, they might be talking about a secret plan to make money.
- In Spanish, the 'motion' of a bowel movement is referred to using the word evacuación or deposición instead of movimiento.
- In a legal context, a 'motion' to the court is not called a movimiento, but is instead referred to as a pedimento or moción.
Examples in context
- Nunca abras la puerta de un auto en movimiento.Never open the door of a car that is in motion.This example shows how to use movimiento to describe a car in motion.Tatoeba #1185632 by marcelostockle, translation #280198 by CC
- Los pasajeros no deberán conversar con el conductor mientras el bus está en movimiento.Passengers shall not converse with the driver while the bus is in motion.This example illustrates the use of movimiento regarding a bus in motion.Tatoeba #1591039 by teskmon, translation #26577 by orcrist
- Las blancas cortinas se agitan en la brisa en un movimiento pesado y letárgico, como olas.The white curtains flutter in the breeze in a heavy, lazy motion, like waves.This example demonstrates using movimiento to describe a heavy, lazy motion.Tatoeba #1829560 by marcelostockle, translation #1829583 by marcelostockle
- El movimiento de las olas es hipnotizador.The motion of the waves is mesmerizing.
- El desplazamiento de las partículas es crucial para comprender la física molecular.The motion of particles is crucial to understanding molecular physics.
- Sigue los pasos del tutorial para apreciar el efecto de movimiento en la fotografía.Follow the steps in the tutorial to appreciate the motion effect in the photograph.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are looking at a science experiment in a classroom.
- MateoEl movimiento de la pelota es muy constante.The motion of the ball is very constant.
- LucíaSí, es un movimiento circular perfecto.Yes, it is a perfect circular motion.
- Mateo¿Puedes ver cómo cambia su movimiento?Can you see how its motion changes?
- LucíaNo, Mateo, el movimiento es el mismo.No, Mateo, the motion is the same.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry movimiento, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
