navegar por internet
/nabeɡaɾ poɾ inteɾnet/from spelling rules
To surf the internet in Spanish is navegar por internet.
The phrase is used to describe the act of spending time looking at various websites on the internet. While you may occasionally hear the Spanglish loanword surfear used in very informal tech contexts, navegar por internet is the standard and most natural way to express this action in Spanish.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb navegar (to navigate or to sail) and the prepositional phrase por internet (through or via the internet).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, you may encounter the regional variation surfear la red.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can substitute internet with la red (the net/web) to say navegar por la red.
How do you pronounce it?
/nabeɡaɾ poɾ inteɾnet/
Did you know?
- The term navegar is a direct relative of the English word 'navy', as both originate from the Latin word nāvis meaning 'ship'.
- The Spanish word red refers to 'the internet' but is the same word used for a physical fishing net or a sports net.
- Spanish typically uses navegar to emphasize steering or following a route, whereas English uses 'surf' to suggest a casual or effortless movement.
Examples in context
- En aquel país, la libertad de navegar por Internet está restringida.The freedom to surf the Internet is restricted in that country.This sentence is useful for discussing the restriction of the freedom to use navegar por internet in a specific country.Tatoeba #2440331 by marcelostockle, translation #9684658 by DJ_Saidez
- Necesito navegar por internet para investigar para mi trabajoI need to surf the internet to research for my work.
- La profesora nos pidió que exploremos la red para encontrar información relevanteThe teacher asked us to surf the internet to find relevant information.
- Me gusta navegar por la web en busca de noticias interesantesI enjoy surfing the web for interesting news.
- Estuve paseando por internet toda la tarde sin aburrirmeI was surfing the internet all afternoon without getting bored.
- Solo estoy echando un vistazo en línea, no estoy comprando nada en particularI'm just browsing online, I'm not buying anything in particular.
- ¿Vas a surfear la red toda la tarde?Are you going to surf the internet all afternoon?
- Me gusta navegar por internet antes de dormir.I like to surf the internet before sleeping.
Example conversation
Two friends are chatting at a cafe about their hobbies.
- JavierLucía, ¿qué haces para relajarte?Lucía, what do you do to relax?
- LucíaMe encanta navegar por internet para ver noticias.I love to surf the internet to see the news.
- JavierYo prefiero leer un libro físico.I prefer to read a physical book.
- LucíaCada uno tiene sus gustos, Javier.Everyone has their own tastes, Javier.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries internet, navegar, por, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
