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cruzar means to cross — a common term in Travel Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: November 25, 2025

✈️ Travel Spanish

cruzar

verb • /[cru-THAR]/

to cross

Example:

Vamos a cruzar la calle ahora.

We’re going to cross the street now.

🧠 What does cruzar mean?

The Spanish verb 'cruzar' translates to 'to cross' in English. It is used to describe the action of moving from one side of something to another. This can apply to physical spaces like streets, rivers, or borders, as well as abstract concepts like paths or destinies. The verb can also denote the act of intersecting or meeting. For instance, two roads might cross, or two people might cross paths. In a more figurative sense, 'cruzar' can mean to cross oneself as a gesture of faith or protection. It is a fundamental verb for describing movement and intersection in various contexts.

📚 Extra examples

  • Hay que cruzar la calle con cuidado.
    One must cross the street carefully.
  • Cruzamos la frontera ayer.
    We crossed the border yesterday.
  • Nuestros caminos se cruzaron inesperadamente.
    Our paths crossed unexpectedly.
  • El río es ancho y difícil de cruzar.
    The river is wide and difficult to cross.
  • El tren cruza el país de norte a sur.
    The train crosses the country from north to south.

💡 Did You Know?

The verb 'cruzar' is cognate with the English word 'cross,' and both share a common Latin root. This shared origin highlights the fundamental nature of the concept of crossing or intersection across languages.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "cruzar"

Synonyms: atravesar, pasar, vadear
Opposites: rodear, evitar

🔍 See more travel spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'to cross' in Spanish?
To say 'to cross' in Spanish, you use the verb 'cruzar'.
How do you pronounce 'cruzar' in Spanish?
'Cruzar' is pronounced 'kroo-THAR' in Spain (with a 'th' sound for the 'z') or 'kroo-SAR' in Latin America (with an 's' sound for the 'z'). The 'u' is pronounced like the 'oo' in 'moon', and the 'r' sounds are rolled.
How do you use 'cruzar' in a sentence?
'Cruzar' is used to indicate movement from one side to another, or intersection. For example, 'Voy a cruzar el puente' (I am going to cross the bridge) or 'Las calles se cruzan en esa esquina' (The streets cross at that corner).
What is the English translation of 'cruzar'?
The primary English translation of 'cruzar' is 'to cross'.
Does 'cruzar' change for gender or number?
As a verb, 'cruzar' changes its endings based on the subject (person and number) and tense, not for the gender or number of nouns it might relate to. For example, 'yo cruzo' (I cross), 'tú cruzas' (you cross), 'ellos cruzan' (they cross).
Is 'cruzar' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, 'cruzar' is a very common verb in everyday Spanish, used frequently for describing movement, travel, and intersections.
Does 'cruzar' have slang or double meanings?
While 'cruzar' primarily means 'to cross,' it can also be used figuratively, such as 'cruzar los dedos' (to cross one's fingers) for good luck. It can also refer to crossing oneself as a religious gesture. There are no widespread slang meanings that deviate significantly from its core sense.
Is 'cruzar' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The fundamental meaning of 'cruzar' is the same. The main difference in pronunciation, as mentioned, is the 'z' sound. In Spain, it's typically a 'th' sound, while in Latin America, it's an 's' sound. The contexts in which it's used remain consistent.
How do you conjugate 'cruzar' in Spanish?
'Cruzar' is a regular -ar verb with one spelling change in the preterite tense. The 'z' changes to 'c' before an 'e' in the first-person singular preterite to maintain the 's' sound. Example conjugation in the present indicative: yo cruzo, tú cruzas, él/ella/usted cruza, nosotros/nosotras cruzamos, vosotros/vosotras cruzáis, ellos/ellas/ustedes cruzan. Example in the preterite: yo crucé, tú cruzaste, él/ella/usted cruzó, nosotros/nosotras cruzamos, vosotros/vosotras cruzasteis, ellos/ellas/ustedes cruzaron.

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