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escribir means to write — a common term in Essential Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: November 19, 2025

📘 Essential Spanish

escribir

verb • /[es-kree-BEER]/

to write

Example:

Voy a escribirte mañana.

I’ll write to you tomorrow.

🧠 What does escribir mean?

The verb 'escribir' means 'to write'. It refers to the act of forming characters, letters, or symbols on a surface, such as paper or a screen, to communicate words or ideas. This action can be done by hand, with a typewriter, or on a computer. 'Escribir' is a regular verb in most tenses, but it has an irregular past participle: 'escrito'.

📚 Extra examples

  • Ella escribe un poema para la clase de literatura.
    She is writing a poem for literature class.
  • ¿Me puedes escribir tu dirección de correo electrónico?
    Can you write down your email address for me?
  • Ayer escribimos una carta de reclamación a la empresa.
    Yesterday we wrote a complaint letter to the company.
  • El autor escribirá un nuevo libro el próximo año.
    The author will write a new book next year.
  • El mensaje está escrito en la pared.
    The message is written on the wall.

💡 Did You Know?

The irregular past participle of 'escribir' is 'escrito'. This form comes directly from the Latin 'scriptus', which is the root of many English words like 'script', 'scripture', 'describe', and 'manuscript'. Recognizing this connection can help in remembering its irregular form.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "escribir"

Synonyms: redactar, anotar, apuntar, componer, transcribir
Opposites: borrar, leer, hablar, decir

🔍 See more essential spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'to write' in Spanish?
The most common and direct way to say 'to write' in Spanish is 'escribir'.
How do you pronounce 'escribir' in Spanish?
The pronunciation is /es.kɾiˈβiɾ/. The stress falls on the final syllable, 'bir'. The 'b' sound is a soft, bilabial fricative, often similar to an English 'v'.
How do you use 'escribir' in a sentence?
'Escribir' is a transitive verb, typically followed by a direct object that specifies what is being written. For example: 'Escribo un informe' (I am writing a report). It can also be used with an indirect object to indicate the recipient: 'Le escribo una nota a mi profesor' (I am writing a note to my professor).
What is the English translation of 'escribir'?
The English translation of 'escribir' is 'to write'.
Does 'escribir' change for gender or number?
As a verb in its infinitive or conjugated forms, 'escribir' does not change for gender. Its past participle, 'escrito', functions as an adjective and must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies, e.g., 'la carta escrita' (the written letter) vs. 'los informes escritos' (the written reports).
Is 'escribir' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, 'escribir' is a fundamental and frequently used verb in Spanish, essential for communication in personal, academic, and professional contexts.
Does 'escribir' have slang or double meanings?
'Escribir' is a straightforward verb with no common slang meanings. It can be used figuratively, such as in 'escribir un nuevo capítulo en tu vida', which means to start a new phase in your life.
Is 'escribir' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The meaning and usage of 'escribir' are standard and consistent across all Spanish-speaking regions. There are no significant regional variations.
How do you conjugate 'escribir' in Spanish?
'Escribir' is a regular -ir verb in most tenses. The present tense conjugation is: yo escribo, tú escribes, él/ella/usted escribe, nosotros/as escribimos, vosotros/as escribís, ellos/ellas/ustedes escriben. A key irregularity is its past participle, which is 'escrito'.

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