acompañar
/akompaˈɲaɾ/
To ride along in Spanish is acompañar.
While acompañar literally means 'to accompany' or 'to go along with', it is the standard verb used to express the idea of riding along with someone in a vehicle.
Which one should you use?
The phrase Ir de copiloto can be used to specifically mean 'to go as a co-pilot'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The third-person singular preterite form of acompañar (he/she/it rode along) is acompañó. The gerund form (riding along) is acompañando.
How do you pronounce it?
/akompaˈɲaɾ/
Did you know?
- The verb acompañar contains the root of the word 'company', stemming from the Latin 'compāniō', which originally described people sharing a specific 'bread' together.
- The verb acompañar is used not only for vehicles but also to describe how a side dish or drink 'goes along' with a main meal.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the act of acompañar someone is seen as a social obligation or gesture of politeness rather than just a logistical convenience.
Examples in context
- El gerente me pidió que lo acompañara en el vehículo durante el viaje de negocios.The manager asked me to ride along in the vehicle during the business trip.
- Siempre me gusta ir de copiloto cuando mi hermano conduce.I always enjoy riding along as a co-pilot when my brother drives.
- Ella decidió acompañar a su hermano al trabajo.She decided to ride along with her brother to work.
Example conversation
Daniel and María are talking about going to a party.
- Daniel¿Tengo que ir en autobús o me puedes acompañar?Do I have to go by bus or can I ride along with you?
- MaríaClaro, Daniel, te puedo acompañar.Of course, Daniel, you can ride along with me.
- Daniel¿A qué hora sales de casa?What time do you leave home?
- MaríaSaldré a las siete, María.I will leave at seven, María.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry acompañar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries acompañar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
