viajar
/bjaˈxaɾ/
To travel in Spanish is viajar.
The verb viajar is used to express the act of traveling. While it is the standard term, if you wish to emphasize the specific act of moving or commuting from one place to another, you might use the more formal verb desplazarse.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In many Latin American countries, viajar is the most common and widely used term for to travel. In Spain, you may occasionally hear coger un avión/tren to mean to take a plane or train or hacer una escapada to mean to take a getaway.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the verb in different tenses, note that the first-person singular preterite (past tense) is viajé (I traveled) and the first-person singular future tense is viajaré (I will travel). Additionally, the form viajamos is used for both the present tense (we travel) and the preterite tense (we traveled) for the first-person plural.
How do you pronounce it?
/bjaˈxaɾ/
Did you know?
- In Spain, using the verb coger to mean 'to take' a train or plane is standard, but in Mexico and Argentina, this verb can be highly vulgar.
- In some Latin American countries, viajar can be used as a slang term to describe someone who is daydreaming or talking about things that are unrealistic.
- The word viajar shares a root with the English word 'way' through the Latin word via, which literally means 'road'.
Examples in context
- No le gusta viajar.He doesn't like to travel.This sentence is useful for expressing a dislike for the act of traveling with the form viajar.Tatoeba #9287390 by Javea, translation #13245170 by araneo
- Me gusta viajar solo.I like to travel by myself.This sentence is useful for expressing a preference for traveling alone with the form viajar.Tatoeba #540338 by Shishir, translation #27643 by CK
- Le gusta viajar solo.He likes to travel by himself.Tatoeba #1123870 by cueyayotl, translation #293725 by CH
- Mi trabajo me permite viajar por todo el mundo.My job allows me to travel around the world.
- Tendrás que desplazarte en metro para llegar al centro de la ciudad.You'll have to take the subway to get to the city center.
- Este verano vamos a ir de viaje a la playa.This summer we're going on a trip to the beach.
- ¿Te gustaría irte de viaje conmigo este fin de semana?Would you like to go on a trip with me this weekend?
- El año pasado hicimos un viaje por Europa y recorrimos varios países.Last year we took a trip around Europe and visited several countries.
- Este año quiero viajar a Argentina y disfrutar de su cultura y paisajes. ¡Me encanta ir de viaje!This year, I want to travel to Argentina and enjoy its culture and landscapes. I love going on trips!
- ¿Vamos a hacer un viaje por la costa este en verano?Shall we take a trip along the East Coast this summer?
- Siempre me gusta descubrir nuevos lugares y conocer gente interesante cuando viajo.I always enjoy discovering new places and meeting interesting people when I travel.
- ¡Buen viaje!Have a good trip!
- 118 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are talking about their summer plans at a cafe.
- Sofía¿Quieres viajar este verano?Do you want to travel this summer?
- JavierSí, quiero viajar por Europa.Yes, I want to travel through Europe.
- Sofía¡Qué divertido es viajar!How fun it is to travel!
- JavierEs mi actividad favorita.It is my favorite activity.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry viajar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries viajar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
