Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| aumentar | /aumenˈtaɾ/ |
| redoblar | /redoˈblaɾ/ |
| extremar | /eɡstɾeˈmaɾ/ |
While aumentar is a general way to say increase, if you are specifically talking about stepping up a physical walking or running pace, the idiomatic phrase acelerar el paso is more natural than using aumentar.
Which one should you use?
Aumentar is a general term for increasing something. In contrast, redoblar implies a much more dramatic or sudden increase in effort or speed, similar to doubling down. Extremar is used specifically when stepping up efforts or precautions to the highest possible level, such as in the phrase extremar las precauciones (to step up precautions).
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb aumentar is transitive. If you are stepping up a specific thing like production or speed, you follow it with a direct object, such as aumentar la velocidad.
How do you pronounce it?
/aumenˈtaɾ/
Did you know?
- While aumentar means to increase, the word redoblar specifically evokes the sound of a drum roll, which historically signaled a sudden increase in intensity or urgency.
- The phrase acelerar el paso is used for walking, but if you step up your speed while driving, you must use acelerar without el paso.
- The word aumentar is a direct linguistic relative of the English word 'augment', both descending from the Latin 'augmentum'.
Examples in context
- Es importante que nuestro equipo dé un paso adelante para alcanzar el éxito.It is important for our team to step up to achieve success.
- Debes trabajar duro y mejorar tu rendimiento si deseas avanzar en tu carrera.You must work hard and step up your performance if you want to advance in your career.
- Si quieres aprobar el examen, tienes que ponerte las pilas y estudiar más.If you want to pass the exam, you need to step up your game and study more.
- Debemos aumentar la velocidad del coche.We must increase the speed of the car.
- El ritmo de producción va a aumentar.The production rate is going to increase.
- Necesitamos aumentar el número de entregas.We need to increase the number of deliveries.
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are discussing a logistics problem at work.
- MateoElena, tenemos que aumentar el ritmo de trabajo.Elena, we have to step up the work pace.
- ElenaTienes razón, Mateo, no llegaremos a tiempo.You are right, Mateo, we won't arrive on time.
- Mateo¿Podemos aumentar la cantidad de envíos hoy?Can we increase the amount of shipments today?
- ElenaSí, lo intentaremos ahora mismo.Yes, we will try it right now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “step up” translations and entries aumentar, redoblar, extremar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aumentar, extremar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
