saltar
/salˈtaɾ/
To jump in Spanish is saltar.
Saltar is used to describe the action of pushing oneself off the ground using the legs to move upward or forward. Depending on the context, it can also mean 'to skip', such as skipping a meal or skipping steps.
Which one should you use?
While saltar is the standard term for jumping, it can also mean 'to skip' or 'to leap' depending on the situation. To specifically express the action of jumping over an obstacle, you use the phrase saltar sobre.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term Brincar is a popular informal way to say 'to jump' throughout Latin America. In Spain, Pegar un salto is a common informal way to describe jumping suddenly.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun form for a jump is salto. If you want to say 'I jumped' in the first-person singular preterite (past tense), use salté.
How do you pronounce it?
/salˈtaɾ/
When do people say it?
The informal expression Saltar a la pata coja is used to refer specifically to hopping or jumping on one leg.
Did you know?
- The Spanish verb saltar is a frequentative form derived from the Latin 'saltare', which was specifically designed to express the idea of jumping repeatedly or intensely.
- The verb saltar can be used on its own to describe someone suddenly losing their temper or having an emotional outburst.
- The word salto is not only used for the act of jumping, but it is also the standard term used to describe a waterfall, where the water 'leaps' over a ledge.
Examples in context
- Me da miedo saltar la zanja.I am afraid to jump over the ditch.Tatoeba #1224599 by marcelostockle, translation #19174 by CC
- Yo no quería saltar al agua fría.I didn't want to jump into the cold water.Tatoeba #7795489 by emigonza, translation #6240805 by CK
- Pude saltar a través de la zanja.I was able to jump across the ditch.Tatoeba #10082531 by manufrutos, translation #8861376 by CK
- Los atletas saltan muy alto en los Juegos Olímpicos.The athletes jump very high in the Olympics.
- El caballo dio un salto sobre la cerca.The horse jumped over the fence.
- Los astronautas realizaron un salto en gravedad cero.The astronauts performed a jump in zero gravity.
- Los niños brincaban en el parque después de la lluvia.The children were jumping in the park after the rain.
- Los niños saltaban a la pata coja en el concurso de juegos infantiles.The children were hopping on one leg in the children's games contest.
- El gato pegó un salto cuando vio un ratón.The cat jumped when it saw a mouse.
- Saltar la cuerdaJumping rope
- Saltar a la piscinaJumping into the pool
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are at a trampoline park.
- Daniel¿Quieres saltar muy alto?Do you want to jump very high?
- SofíaSí, ¡mira cómo puedo saltar!Yes, look how I can jump!
- DanielTen mucho cuidado al saltar.Be very careful when jumping.
- SofíaNo te preocupes, Daniel.Don't worry, Daniel.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry saltar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries saltar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
