Spanish Conversation · Level 47
75 words
Spanish word
cruzar
Pronunciation
IPA/kɾuˈθaɾ/
Meaning
- verbcross
Example
Vamos a cruzar la calle.
Let's cross the street.
More examples
Antes de cruzar, mira a ambos lados.
Before crossing, look both ways.
Core concept
Person stepping from one sidewalk to the opposite sidewalk across a street.
Common phrases
cruzar la calle
cross the street
cruzar el paso de peatones
cross the crosswalk
cruzar la carretera
cross the road
Similar words
pasar: Continues past a location or along a path without stopping there.
atravesar: Cuts through a space or object, moving from one side through to the far side.
cruzarse: Briefly encounters someone as their paths cross while passing by.
Definition in Spanish
Moverse de un lado a otro de una barrera física o simbólica; usarse también en sentido figurado para expresar el paso de un límite o el encuentro con alguien.
Word origin
From the noun cruz (from Latin crux 'cross') plus the verb suffix -ar, originally meaning to make or pass a cross and so to move across or intersect.
Usage tips
- Takes a direct object for physical crossings (cruzar la calle), while accidental meetings use the reflexive cruzarse con alguien, so cruzar con and cruzarse con differ.