acelerar
/aθeleˈɾaɾ/
To speed up in Spanish is acelerar.
The verb acelerar means to increase speed. It can be used intransitively to mean 'to speed up' or transitively to mean 'to accelerate something', such as a process or a vehicle.
Meaning: increase speed (intransitive) (verb)
Which one should you use?
While acelerar can be used intransitively to mean 'to speed up', it is also commonly used transitively to mean 'to accelerate something'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The third-person singular preterite form (past tense) of acelerar is aceleró, which means 'he/she/it sped up'.
How do you pronounce it?
/aθeleˈɾaɾ/
Did you know?
- While acelerar means to speed up, Spanish speakers often use the phrase dar gas to describe the act of flooring the accelerator.
- While acelerar is perfect for machines or processes, if you want a person to 'speed up' their walking pace, a native speaker is more likely to use the verb apresurarse.
- In professional racing contexts in Spanish, drivers may use the noun acelerón to describe a sudden 'burst' or 'kick' of acceleration.
Examples in context
- Voy a acelerar el vídeo.I am going to speed up the video.This sentence shows how to use acelerar regarding a video.Tatoeba #2815719 by marcelostockle, translation #2716261 by Amastan
- El aire acelerará el secado.The air will speed up the drying.This sentence demonstrates using acelerar for a drying process.Tatoeba #8612598 by arh, translation #9706263 by DJ_Saidez
- Tenemos que acelerar el proceso de producción.We need to speed up the production process.
- Debemos apresurar las gestiones para cumplir con los plazos.We must speed up the procedures to meet the deadlines.
- Vamos, dale caña al coche, que vamos tarde.Come on, step on it, we're running late.
- Voy a meterle pata para llegar más rápido.I'm going to step on it to get there faster.
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are driving to a concert.
- LucíaTenemos que acelerar para llegar a tiempo.We need to speed up to arrive on time.
- MateoNo puedo acelerar más en esta carretera.I cannot speed up any more on this highway.
- LucíaEstá bien, no te preocupes, Mateo.It's okay, don't worry, Mateo.
- MateoPerdón, Lucía, intentaré ir un poco más rápido.Sorry, Lucía, I will try to go a little faster.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “speed up” translations and entries acelerar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
