mover
/moˈbeɾ/
To move in Spanish is mover.
The verb is used to describe changing the position of an object or oneself. Use mover specifically when the subject is moving an external object rather than themselves.
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between moving an object and moving oneself. Use the non-reflexive form mover when the subject is moving an external object. Use the reflexive form moverse when the subject is the one performing the movement, such as moving one's own body.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, you can use the phrase cambiar de casa to say 'to move'.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the first-person singular present indicative, the form is muevo (I move). In the first-person singular preterite, the form is moví (I moved).
How do you pronounce it?
/moˈbeɾ/
Did you know?
- While mover describes movement, Spanish has a dedicated word mudanza for the act of moving house, which comes from the verb mudar meaning 'to change' or 'to molt'.
- The verb mover can be used figuratively in the phrase mover el piso, which literally means 'to move the floor' but is used to mean 'to shake someone up' or disturb their stability.
- In some contexts, mover is used to describe the act of manipulating strings on a puppet or managing things behind the scenes, as in mover los hilos.
Examples in context
- No tuve que moverlo.I didn't have to move it.This sentence shows how to use mover with an object.Tatoeba #2314180 by marcelostockle, translation #2290313 by CK
- ¿Le duele moverse así?Is it painful to move like this?This sentence uses the reflexive form of the verb.Tatoeba #9926421 by Shishir, translation #9853906 by NurseMeeks
- Procure no moverse tanto.Try not to move so much.This sentence shows how to use the reflexive form of the verb.Tatoeba #2269015 by Shishir, translation #2269014 by _undertoad
- Me voy a mudar a una nueva ciudadI am going to move to a new city
- La compañía se traslada a un nuevo edificioThe company is moving to a new building
- Voy a mudarme a otro apartamentoI'm going to move to another apartment
- Me voy a cambiar a otra coloniaI'm going to move to another neighborhood
- Nos mudamos a una casa más grandeWe are moving to a bigger house
- Me voy a mudar a EspañaI'm going to move to Spain
- Debes mover los muebles al otro lado de la habitaciónYou should move the furniture to the other side of the room
- 23 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Daniel are cleaning their living room.
- SofíaDaniel, ayúdame a mover este mueble.Daniel, help me move this piece of furniture.
- DanielClaro, Sofía. ¿Es muy pesado?Of course, Sofía. Is it very heavy?
- SofíaSí, es difícil moverlo sola.Yes, it is difficult to move it alone.
- DanielNo te preocupes, yo lo muevo.Don't worry, I'll move it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry mover, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
