adelante
/adeˈlante/
The English phrase "please go ahead" is translated into Spanish as adelante.
adelante is a polite expression used to give someone permission to do something or to tell them to proceed. It can be used figuratively to mean "go ahead" with a task, but it is also used physically to mean "move forward" or "move to the front". Additionally, it is commonly used to tell someone to enter a room or come inside.
What does it mean word for word?
The word adelante is an adverb meaning "forward" or "ahead".
Which one should you use?
If you want to be specifically formal and polite, you can use Por favor, continúe to say "Please continue" or Adelante, por favor to encourage someone to proceed. For an informal tone, you might use Anda, sigue.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, Pasá, por favor can be used as an alternative to standard phrases for "please go ahead".
How do you pronounce it?
/adeˈlante/
When do people say it?
When someone knocks on a door, responding with ¡Adelante! is a standard way to say "Come in!"
Did you know?
- The word adelante shares a common ancestor with the English word 'end', as both stem from the Proto-Indo-European root for 'boundary' or 'limit'.
- While adelante is used to invite someone into a room, it is also used as a common shout of encouragement for athletes or runners to push forward to the finish line.
- The word adelante is frequently used in the common Spanish idiom ¡Adelante con ello!, which functions more like a command to 'get on with it' rather than a polite suggestion.
Examples in context
- Por favor, adelante.Please, go ahead.This sentence shows how to use adelante with a polite request.Tatoeba #11375607 by NicoLXVI, translation #1485476 by arnxy20
- ''¿Te importa si ocupo tu celular?'' ''No, por favor, adelante''."Do you mind if I use your phone?" "No, please go ahead."This example demonstrates using adelante to grant permission after someone asks to use a phone.Tatoeba #1123358 by Ephraim, translation #73593 by CK
- Señor Rodríguez, por favor, continúe con su presentación. Estamos interesados en escuchar sus ideas.Mr. Rodríguez, please continue with your presentation. We are interested in hearing your ideas.
- Permítame abrir la puerta. Adelante, por favor.Allow me to open the door. Please go ahead.
- Anda, sigue, no te quedes atrás.Please go ahead, don't lag behind.
- Si quieres pasar primero, adelante.If you want to go first, please go ahead.
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are standing at a doorway.
- Javier¿Puedo pasar yo primero?Can I go through first?
- LucíaSí, por favor, adelante.Yes, please go ahead.
- JavierMuchas gracias, Lucía.Thank you very much, Lucía.
- LucíaDe nada, Javier.You're welcome, Javier.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry adelante, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries adelante, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
