subir
/suˈbiɾ/
The English phrase 'turn up' is translated into Spanish as subir.
In Spanish, subir is used when you want to increase the intensity, volume or level of something, such as the heat or the volume of music. To say 'turn up the volume', you would use the phrase subir el volumen.
Meaning: increase volume etc. (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The verb subir literally means 'to go up' or 'to raise'.
Which one should you use?
While subir is used to turn something up, its opposite is bajar, which means 'to turn down' or 'to lower'.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a regular -ir verb, subir follows standard conjugation patterns for the present, past and future tenses.
How do you pronounce it?
/suˈbiɾ/
Did you know?
- The verb subir originates from the Latin subīre, which originally meant 'to approach' or 'to go under' rather than moving upwards.
- Beyond turning up volume, subir is used to describe the act of boarding a bus, train or plane. An English speaker would say they are 'getting on' the vehicle, but a Spanish speaker says they are 'going up' into it.
- While you use subir to turn up the volume, you cannot use it to describe a person 'turning up' at a party. For a person arriving unexpectedly, Spanish speakers use the phrase aparecer or llegar de repente.
Examples in context
- Le dije a Tom que tenías frío. Dijo que subiría la calefacción.I told Tom you were cold. He said he'd turn up the heat.This sentence shows how to use subir when talking about turning up the heat.Tatoeba #3769956 by Seael, translation #2537279 by CK
- Él apareció en la reuniónHe turned up at the meeting
- Debes presentarte puntualmente a la conferenciaYou should turn up promptly for the conference
- La invitada llegó tarde a la recepciónThe guest turned up late to the reception
- Hugo siempre llega con todo a las reunionesHugo always turns up with a lot of energy at meetings
- ¿Puedes subir el volumen de la radio?Can you turn up the radio volume?
- Voy a subir el sonido de la televisión.I am going to turn up the television sound.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are listening to music in the living room.
- ElenaNo escucho bien la música.I can't hear the music well.
- DanielEstá bien, voy a subir el volumen.Okay, I'll turn up the volume.
- Elena¡Perfecto! Ahora suena mucho mejor.Perfect! Now it sounds much better.
- DanielMe alegra que te guste, Elena.I'm glad you like it, Elena.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry subir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries subir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
