Spanish Conversation · Level 43
73 words
Spanish word
atravesar
Pronunciation
IPA/atɾaβeˈsaɾ/
Meaning
- verbcross
Example
Vamos a atravesar la calle.
We are going to cross the street.
More examples
Antes de atravesar la frontera, prepara los documentos.
Before you cross the border, prepare the documents.
Core concept
A person pushing through a dense forest.
Common phrases
atravesar la calle
cross the street
atravesar un puente
cross a bridge
atravesar la frontera
cross the border
Similar words
cruzar: Crosses from one side to the other of a street, river, or similar barrier.
pasar: Moves past a specific point or location without stopping.
Definition in Spanish
Pasar de un lado a otro cruzando o penetrando un espacio u obstáculo, y también usar para indicar que se supera una situación difícil.
Word origin
From Latin transversāre (trans 'across' + vertere 'to turn'), entering Spanish as atravesar with the sense of going across or through an obstacle.
Usage tips
- Use cruzar for short street crossings; atravesar usually implies passing through or across an area or obstacle and commonly takes a direct object (for example, atravesar el bosque).