subir
/suˈbiɾ/
The English verb 'upload' is translated into Spanish as subir. Wiktionary also lists subir cibernéticamente and cibersubir.
Meaning: to transfer data (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| subir | /suˈbiɾ/ |
| subir cibernéticamente | /subiɾ θibeɾnetikamente/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /subiɾ sibeɾnetikamente/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
| cibersubir | /θibeɾsubiɾ/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /sibeɾsubiɾ/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
In modern digital Spanish, subir is the most common and natural way to say 'to upload' a file or photo. While it is the standard term for digital contexts, it is also used in physical contexts to mean 'to go up', 'to climb' or 'to raise'.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb subir literally means 'to go up', 'to climb' or 'to raise'.
Which one should you use?
While subir is the standard for uploading, you can also use subir cibernéticamente or cibersubir to specifically denote the digital action. To express the opposite of uploading, such as downloading, Spanish speakers often use the verb bajar, which means 'to go down'.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/suˈbiɾ/
Did you know?
- The word subir comes from the Latin word subīre, which originally meant 'to approach'.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, subir is also used to describe the act of getting into a car or onto a bus.
- Unlike English, where 'upload' is almost exclusively digital, subir can describe increasing the volume of a radio or raising a price.
Examples in context
- No puedo averiguar cómo subir una imagen.I can't figure out how to upload an image.This sentence shows how to use subir regarding an image.Tatoeba #1305512 by marcelostockle, translation #953393 by CK
- ¿Cómo puedo subir una foto a tu página web?How can I upload a photo to your website?This sentence demonstrates using subir to upload a photo to a website.Tatoeba #2399413 by Shishir, translation #2396053 by CK
- Tan pronto como pueda hacer que mi hijo escanee nuestras fotos familiares, subiré algunas a nuestro sitio web.As soon as I can get my son to scan our family photos, I'll upload some of them to our website.This sentence uses subir to describe the future intent of uploading photos to a website.Tatoeba #1235108 by marcelostockle, translation #953138 by CK
- Por favor, necesito subir los archivos al servidorPlease, I need to upload the files to the server
- Debes cargar tu video en la plataforma para compartirloYou should upload your video to the platform to share it
- Sube esa foto a tu perfil para que todos la veanUpload that photo to your profile so everyone can see it
- Voy a publicar el artículo en mi blogI'm going to upload the article to my blog
- Deberías subir el video a YouTubeYou should upload the video to YouTube
- Subir una fotoUpload a photo
- Subir un videoUpload a video
- Subir un documentoUpload a document
- Subir a la nubeUpload to the cloud
- Subir archivosUpload files
- Subir una copia de seguridadUpload a backup
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are working together on a digital project.
- Javier¿Puedes subir el archivo al servidor?Can you upload the file to the server?
- SofíaSí, voy a subir el documento ahora mismo.Yes, I am going to upload the document right now.
- JavierPerfecto, avísame cuando termines de subirlo.Perfect, let me know when you finish uploading it.
- SofíaClaro, ya casi termino de subirlo.Sure, I am almost finished uploading it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “upload” translations and entries subir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cibernéticamente, subir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
