Learning how to express the verb “to ski” in Spanish is essential if you enjoy winter sports or plan to visit a Spanish-speaking country with ski resorts. In this guide, we will explore different ways to say “to ski” in Spanish, including formal and informal variations. While regional variations may exist, we will focus on widely used terms across the Spanish-speaking world. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal ways to say “to ski”
If you want to convey a more formal tone or speak with someone who you don’t have a close relationship with, you can use the following expressions:
- Esquiar: This is the most common verb used to express “to ski” in a formal context. For example:
Voy a esquiar en la montaña este fin de semana. (I’m going skiing in the mountains this weekend.)
- Practicar el esquí: Another way to say “to ski” formally is by using the complete phrase “practicar el esquí.” For example:
Me gusta practicar el esquí en invierno. (I enjoy skiing in winter.)
Informal ways to say “to ski”
When conversing with friends, family, or in more casual settings, using the following expressions to say “to ski” is appropriate:
- Esquiar: Similar to the formal way, this is still the most commonly used verb to express “to ski” informally. For example:
¿Vamos a esquiar este fin de semana? (Shall we go skiing this weekend?)
- Bajar: In some Spanish-speaking countries, particularly in Latin America, a colloquial expression for “to ski” is “bajar.” It literally means “to go down.” For example:
En mi país, nos encanta bajar en la nieve durante el invierno. (In my country, we love skiing in the snow during winter.)
Examples in sentences
To provide a clearer understanding of how to use these expressions, here are a few more examples of how to say “to ski” in Spanish:
- Este invierno, voy a esquiar en el Pirineo. (This winter, I’m going skiing in the Pyrenees.)
- Me gusta esquiar a gran velocidad. (I enjoy skiing at high speed.)
- ¡Vamos a bajar por esa pista! (Let’s ski down that slope!)
- Quiero aprender a esquiar para estar listo para la próxima temporada. (I want to learn to ski to be ready for the next season.)
Tips for discussing skiing in Spanish
When talking about skiing in Spanish, keep these tips in mind to enhance your conversations:
- Use ski-related vocabulary: Familiarize yourself with skiing vocabulary such as “las botas de esquí” (ski boots), “el snowboard” (snowboard), “las gafas de esquí” (ski goggles), etc. This will help you describe your experiences or ask for equipment when needed.
- Be aware of regional variations: While we focused on commonly used terms, remember that some countries may have their own regional expressions for “to ski.” If you are in a specific region, it might be useful to ask locals for their preferred phrases.
- Practice listening and understanding: Listening to native speakers is a fantastic way to improve your language skills. Watch videos or podcasts about skiing in Spanish to become more comfortable with the vocabulary and pronunciation.
- Combine your language skills with cultural knowledge: Being familiar with skiing traditions in Spanish-speaking countries can enrich your conversations. For example, in Spain, après-ski is known as “terracitas” where people gather on sunny terraces after skiing.
Remember, practice makes perfect. The more you immerse yourself in the language, the easier it will become to communicate your love for skiing in Spanish. ¡Diviértete esquiando! (Have fun skiing!)
