subir
/suˈbiɾ/
The Spanish verb for "rise" is subir.
subir is used to describe both physical movement, such as climbing stairs and abstract increases, such as prices rising. If you are referring to the action of moving upwards as a noun, you use subida.
Meaning: to move upwards (verb)
Which one should you use?
While subir covers both physical and abstract movement, its direct antonym is bajar, which means to go down or to fall. If you want to describe a noun representing an increase in quantity or price, you can use incremento, aumento or alza.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The gerund form of subir is subiendo (rising), and the third-person singular preterite form is subió (he/she/it rose).
How do you pronounce it?
/suˈbiɾ/
Did you know?
- To describe the sun rising in the sky, Spanish speakers do not use subir, but instead use the verb salir, which means 'to exit' or 'to go out'.
- The Latin root of subir is actually subīre, which means 'to go under' or 'to approach' rather than 'to go up'.
- While subir means to rise, it is also used to describe the act of uploading a file to the internet, such as subir una foto.
Examples in context
- El precio del pescado está empezando a subir.The price of fish is starting to rise.This sentence shows how to use subir regarding the price of an item.Tatoeba #1750354 by marcelostockle, translation #13056765 by araneo
- Los costes subirán más de un veinte por ciento.Prices will rise over 20 percent.This sentence demonstrates the use of subir for predicting cost increases.Tatoeba #9011097 by arh, translation #9188936 by DJ_Saidez
- En el artículo de la revista salía que el yen iba a subir.The magazine article said that the value of the yen would rise.This sentence uses subir in the context of a currency value rising.Tatoeba #1612893 by marcelostockle, translation #47754 by CK
- El precio aumentóThe price rose.
- La temperatura se eleva rápidamenteThe temperature is rising rapidly.
- El estudio mostró un incremento significativoThe study showed a significant increase.
- Los precios están subiendo rápidamentePrices are rising rapidly.
- Las ventas se dispararonSales skyrocketed.
- El costo del alquiler se encarecióThe cost of rent rose.
- el precio de las viviendas subióThe price of houses rose
- La popularidad de la banda se disparó drásticamente.The popularity of the band rose dramatically.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are at the entrance of an apartment building.
- DanielSofía, ¿podemos subir por el ascensor?Sofía, can we go up using the elevator?
- SofíaNo, prefiero subir las escaleras contigo, Daniel.No, I prefer to walk up the stairs with you, Daniel.
- DanielEstá bien, subamos juntos.Alright, let's go up together.
- Sofía¡Es un buen ejercicio!It's good exercise!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rise” translations and entries subir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries subir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
