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adelantar means to pass; overtake; move forward — a common term in Travel Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: August 8, 2025

✈️ Travel Spanish

adelantar

verb • /[ah-deh-lan-TAR]/

to pass; overtake; move forward

Example:

No puedes adelantar en línea continua.

You can't pass on a solid line.

🧠 What does adelantar mean?

Adelantar is a versatile Spanish verb with a core meaning of "to move forward" or "to advance." In the context of travel, it's frequently used to mean "to overtake" or "to pass" another vehicle. It can also mean to move something ahead in time or to make progress on a task.

📚 Extra examples

  • Voy a adelantar a ese coche lento.
    I'm going to pass that slow car.
  • Adelanté mi vuelo para llegar antes.
    I moved my flight forward to arrive earlier.
  • Hemos adelantado mucho trabajo hoy.
    We've made a lot of progress on our work today.

💡 Did You Know?

The word 'adelantar' comes from the prefix 'a-' (meaning 'to') and the verb 'delantar' (which is no longer used independently). It literally means 'to put forward'.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "adelantar"

Synonyms: avanzar, sobrepasar, rebasar
Opposites: retrasar, atrasar

🔍 See more travel spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'to pass; overtake; move forward' in Spanish?
The most common way to say 'to pass; overtake; move forward' in Spanish is 'adelantar'.
How do you pronounce 'adelantar' in Spanish?
Adelantar is pronounced ah-deh-lan-TAHR, with the stress on the last syllable.
How do you use 'adelantar' in a sentence?
Here are a few examples: 'Voy a adelantar a ese camión' (I'm going to pass that truck), 'Adelantaremos la reunión a las 9 am' (We'll move the meeting forward to 9 am), or 'He adelantado bastante en mi proyecto' (I've made good progress on my project).
What is the English translation of 'adelantar'?
Adelantar can be translated to English as 'to pass,' 'to overtake,' 'to move forward,' 'to advance,' or 'to make progress.'
Does 'adelantar' change for gender or number?
Yes, like most Spanish verbs, 'adelantar' conjugates according to the subject pronoun. For example, 'yo adelanto' (I advance), 'él adelanta' (he advances), 'nosotros adelantamos' (we advance).
Is 'adelantar' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, 'adelantar' is a common and useful verb in everyday Spanish conversation.
Does 'adelantar' have slang or double meanings?
While generally straightforward, 'adelantar' can sometimes be used informally to mean 'to lend' money, like '¿Me puedes adelantar algo de dinero?' (Can you lend me some money?).
Is 'adelantar' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The core meaning and usage of 'adelantar' are largely the same across Spain and Latin America. There might be slight variations in informal usage or regional slang, but it's generally understood everywhere.
How do you conjugate 'adelantar' in Spanish?
Here's the present tense conjugation: Yo adelanto, Tú adelantas, Él/Ella/Usted adelanta, Nosotros/Nosotras adelantamos, Vosotros/Vosotras adelantáis, Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes adelantan.

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