acelerar
/aθeleˈɾaɾ/
To rev up in Spanish is acelerar.
The verb acelerar means to increase the speed of an engine. If you are driving, it can refer to the act of pressing the gas pedal to rev the engine, but it can also mean the resulting increase in the vehicle's overall speed. To specify that you are revving the engine itself rather than just speeding up a vehicle, you can use the phrase acelerar el motor.
Meaning: to increase the speed of an engine (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
acelerar is a regular -ar verb in the present tense.
How do you pronounce it?
/aθeleˈɾaɾ/
Did you know?
- While acelerar is used for engines, if you want to say a person is 'revving up' or getting excited about something, you might say they are emocionarse or even alterarse depending on the context.
- In certain Latin American regions, the phrase dar gas (to give gas) is a common colloquial way to say 'rev up' or 'step on it' when driving.
- If you are in a hurry and tell someone to 'rev up' or 'speed up' the process, you might use the verb agilizar instead of acelerar to sound more natural in a professional setting.
Examples in context
- Es necesario acelerar el proceso de producciónIt is necessary to rev up the production process
- El gerente decidió incrementar la velocidad de los trámitesThe manager decided to rev up the paperwork process
- Vamos a darle caña al motor para que se calienteLet's rev up the engine to warm it up
- ¡Claro que sí! Voy a darle caña a mi motor y ganar esa carrera.Of course! I'm going to rev up my engine and win that race.
- Es hora de pisar el acelerador y terminar este proyectoIt's time to rev up and finish this project
- El conductor aceleró el motor para escuchar el sonido.The driver revved up the engine to hear the sound.
- No debes acelerar el motor en frío.You shouldn't rev up the engine when it's cold.
- Él empezó a acelerar el coche en la pista.He started to rev up the car on the track.
- ¿Puedes acelerar el motor para escuchar el sonido?Can you rev up the engine to hear the sound?
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are looking at a sports car in a garage.
- JavierLucía, mira este coche nuevo.Lucía, look at this new car.
- Lucía¿Puedo acelerar el motor?Can I rev up the engine?
- JavierSí, hazlo con cuidado.Yes, do it carefully.
- Lucía¡Qué sonido tan increíble tiene!It has such an incredible sound!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry acelerar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
