Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| andar | /ɐ̃ˈda(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /ɐ̃ˈda(ɾ)/ (São Paulo) |
| caminhar | /ka.mĩˈɲa(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /ka.mĩˈɲa(ɾ)/ (São Paulo) |
The verb andar is used to describe the general ability to walk or the act of moving on one's feet. It can also mean 'to go' or 'to function' in certain contexts. For a more purposeful activity, such as exercise or a stroll, use caminhar. If you want to describe taking a leisurely walk, use passear. The noun caminhada refers to the distance walked, while caminho refers to the maintained place on which to walk.
Which one should you use?
Use andar to describe the general ability to walk or the act of moving on one's feet. Use caminhar to describe walking as a purposeful activity, such as exercise or a stroll, rather than just the physical ability to move. For a purely leisurely or aimless stroll, the verb passear is more appropriate.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The expression passear de bobeira is a Brazilian expression used to describe taking a walk casually without any specific purpose.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The gerund form andando is used to express the continuous action of walking. For the third-person singular past tense of andar, use andou to mean 'walked'.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɐ̃ˈda(ʁ)/
When do people say it?
When walking with purpose or speed, you might use the phrase caminhar a passos largos, which means to walk with large steps.
Did you know?
- In Portuguese, the word andar is also used for the floors of a building. An English speaker would say 'first floor', but a Portuguese speaker says primeiro andar.
- The verb andar is used to describe how things are going in life. For example, como você anda? asks how you have been lately rather than how you are physically walking.
- In Brazil, andar can be used to mean 'to go' in a vehicle. One might say they are andando de carro to mean they are traveling by car.
Examples in context
- O Tom sabe andar?Can Tom walk?This example uses andar to ask about the ability to walk.Tatoeba #5156447 by bill, translation #2235656 by CK
- O bebê sabe andar?Is the baby able to walk?This example uses andar to ask about a baby's ability to walk.Tatoeba #5132226 by bill, translation #45828 by CK
- O bebê sabe andar.The baby is able to walk.This example uses andar to state that a baby is able to walk.Tatoeba #5156441 by bill, translation #45829 by CK
- Eu gosto de caminhar no parque pela manhã.I like to walk in the park in the morning.
- Você pode caminhar devagar para eu acompanhar?Can you walk slowly so I can keep up?
- Vamos passear pela cidade depois do jantar?Shall we take a walk around the city after dinner?
- Ela costuma passear todas as manhãs na praia.She usually takes a walk on the beach every morning.
- Você pode andar até a próxima estação de metrô?Can you walk to the next subway station?
- Vamos andar a pé, é mais rápido.Let's walk, it's faster.
- Ela prefere andar a pé do que usar o transporte público.She prefers to walk rather than using public transportation.
- Posso ir a pé até o shopping?Can I walk to the mall?
- Nós costumamos ir a pé para a casa dela.We usually walk to her house.
- Ele saiu caminhando a passos largos, estava atrasado para o trabalho.He walked quickly, he was running late for work.
- Caminhe a passos largos para alcançar o ônibus.Walk fast in order to catch the bus.
- Vamos passear de bobeira pela praia hoje?Shall we take a casual walk on the beach today?
- Tenho um tempinho livre, vou passear de bobeira no parque.I have some free time, I'm going to take a casual walk in the park.
- Vamos dar um passeio pelo centro histórico da cidade?Let's take a walk through the city's historical center?
- Todos os domingos eles costumam dar um passeio no campo.Every Sunday they usually go for a stroll in the countryside.
- 171 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Beatriz and Rodrigo are deciding how to go to the park.
- BeatrizVamos andar até o parque?Shall we walk to the park?
- RodrigoEu prefiro ir de carro.I prefer to go by car.
- BeatrizMas é melhor andar para relaxar.But it is better to walk to relax.
- RodrigoTudo bem, vamos andar então.All right, let's walk then.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “walk” translations and entries andar, caminhar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
