What does andar in Spanish mean?
What is the meaning of the word andar in Spanish? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use andar in Spanish.
The word andar in Spanish means walk, get around, run, be, feel, be, be about, be around, be, date, see, be at each other's throats, do what everybody else does, be pressed for cash, be strapped for cash, be short on cash, be horny, have your head in the clouds, be with, walk with difficulty, fuss over details, play games, beat around the bush, be afraid, be scared, watch your back, take your time, bear a grudge, hold a grudge, beat around the bush, be sneaky, go on tour, have a lot to do, be in a festive mood, go out drinking, go drinking, walk lopsided, be in a bad mood, be best buddies, be nosy, go out on the town, go out and have fun, walk on tiptoe, walk on tiptoes, horse around, goof around, mess around, walk on your knees, laze around, hang around, go arm in arm with, walk upright, pursue , follow, be after, be seeing red, be hopping mad, be talked about, be the talk of the town, to be in a rush, to be in a hurry, be out and about, be heading in the wrong direction, be headed down the wrong path, walk around naked, go naked, go by taxi, be in taxi, take a taxi, be in love, go around shouting, go around yelling, go around screaming, be out doing [], stagger, zigzag, be very busy, walk briskly, be in bad shape, not think straight, not have your head on straight, tell what to do, poke your nose in everyone's business, be involved in everything, mess things up, screw things up, be very upset, be well-off, be wealthy, be lost, be drunk, dawdle, tread carefully, move around, wander around, go for a stroll, walk around stormily, go about life, go through life, have your head in the clouds, be broke, sow discord, flaunt sex appeal, be furious, be very upset, be angry, be forgetful, be scatterbrained, be down in the dumps, around the house, at home, be in a bad mood, be in luck, be daydreaming, have your head in the clouds, have your head in the clouds, all this about [+ present participle], be on the right track, go out on the town, stick your foot in your mouth, be knackered, be on the blink, not be very well, not be much cop. To learn more, please see the details below.
Meaning of the word andar
walkverbo intransitivo (caminar, dar pasos) (intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.") El vagabundo siguió andando sin rumbo fijo. The tramp walked on aimlessly. |
get aroundverbo intransitivo (trasladarse, moverse) (phrasal verb, intransitive: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning and not taking direct object--for example, "make up" [=reconcile]: "After they fought, they made up.") Parece que no supieras caminar, sólo quieres andar en coche. ⓘEsta oración no es una traducción de la original. Ever since my car broke down I get around by train. |
runverbo intransitivo (máquina: funcionar) (vehicle) (intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.") El coche no anda porque se le descargó la batería. The car won't run because the battery's dead. |
be, feelverbo intransitivo (estar, hallarse) (intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.") Desde que tuvo a su bebé siempre anda cansada. She's been (or: felt) tired ever since she had the baby. |
beverbo intransitivo (estar en una condición) (intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.") Jaime anda deprimido porque se quedó sin trabajo. Desde que tuvo a su bebé, María siempre anda cansada. Jaime is depressed because he lost his job. |
be about, be aroundverbo intransitivo (rondar, aproximarse) No sé la edad exacta del hombre pero anda por los cincuenta. He's about (or: around) fifty. I don't know his exact age. |
be(informal (actuar, comportarse) (intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.") Ándate con cuidado si tienes que caminar de noche por esta parte de la ciudad. Be careful if you have to walk in this part of the city at night. |
date, see(CO, MX (tener relaciones con) (transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.") Andar con dos mujeres al mismo tiempo es una mala idea. Dating two women at the same time is a bad idea. |
be at each other's throatslocución verbal (coloquial (reñir) (colloquial) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Mi perro Vobo siempre anda a la greña con el de los vecinos: se llevan fatal. No sé como esos dos siguen juntos si siempre están a la greña. ⓘEsta oración no es una traducción de la original. I heard raised voices from my neighbors: they were at each other's throats all evening. |
do what everybody else doeslocución verbal (seguir a la mayoría) (expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.") Siempre está andando al hilo de la gente, no tiene criterio propio. |
be pressed for cash, be strapped for cash, be short on cashlocución verbal (no tener recursos) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Este mes hubo poco trabajo y ando un poco apurado de dinero. There hasn't been much work this month and I'm a bit strapped for cash. |
be hornylocución verbal (vulgar (excitado sexualmente) (vulgar) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Con todas las hormonas que tomo últimamente ando caliente todo el día. With all the hormones I've been taking recently I'm horny all day. |
have your head in the cloudslocución verbal (estar muy feliz) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") |
be withlocución verbal (tener pareja) (relationship) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") |
walk with difficultylocución verbal (caminar mal) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Elena tiene 80 años y anda con dificultad. Elena is 80 and walks with difficulty. |
fuss over detailslocución verbal (hilar muy fino) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") |
play gameslocución verbal (tomar algo a broma) (jokes) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") |
beat around the bushlocución verbal (decir verdades a medias) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") |
be afraid, be scared(informal (tener miedo) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") |
watch your backlocución verbal (informal (actuar con precaución) (colloquial) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") |
take your time(coloquial (actuar con cautela) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Anda con pies de plomo en la nueva empresa que es mejor ser precavido. Take your time in the new business; it is best to be cautious. |
bear a grudge, hold a grudgelocución verbal (estar resentido) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Anda con rencores desde que lo echaron del trabajo. He has borne a grudge ever since he was fired. |
beat around the bushlocución verbal (no ir al grano) (US) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") No me gusta la gente que anda con rodeos. I don't like people who beat around the bush. |
be sneakylocución verbal (esconder la verdad) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Es mejor decir la verdad a andar con tapujos. It's better to tell the truth than be sneaky. |
go on tourlocución verbal (coloquial (estar de gira) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Después de graduarnos, anduvimos de bolos durante tres días. After graduating we went on tour for three years. |
have a lot to dolocución verbal (coloquial (alguien: estar muy atareado) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Luego te cuento bien cómo me fue; ahora ando de cabeza. I will tell you how it went later; right now I have a lot to do. |
be in a festive moodlocución verbal (coloquial (alguien: estar de fiesta) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Anduvo de charanga todo el fin de semana con sus amigos. She has been in a festive mood all weekend with her friends. |
go out drinking, go drinkinglocución verbal (salir a beber) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") En Madrid todo el mundo anda de copas durante los fines de semana. Everyone goes out drinking in Madrid on weekends. |
walk lopsidedlocución verbal (no caminar recto) El perro anda de lado desde que lo atropelló un auto. The dog has been walking lopsided since it was hit by a car. |
be in a bad moodlocución verbal (estar de mal humor) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") |
be best buddieslocución verbal (MX: coloquial (ir de amigos) (US: colloquial) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Alejandra y Gabriela ahora andan de manitas. Alejandra and Gabriela are now best buddies. |
be nosylocución verbal (coloquial (entrometerse) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Deja de andar de metido y métete en tus asuntos. |
go out on the townlocución verbal (estar de fiesta) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Los chicos andan de parranda desde ayer, no sé donde estarán. The boys have been out on the town since yesterday and I don't know where they might be. |
go out and have funlocución verbal (anticuado (ir de juerga) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Dejaron a sus hijos pequeños en casa y anduvieron de picos pardos con los amigos. |
walk on tiptoe, walk on tiptoeslocución verbal (caminar sobre los dedos) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") El niño anduvo de puntillas para que nadie lo escuche. The child walked on tiptoe (or: walked on tiptoes) so that nobody would hear him. |
horse around, goof around, mess aroundlocución verbal (hacer tonterías) (colloquial) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") |
walk on your knees(caminar arrodillado) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") En las procesiones católicas había penitentes que andaban de rodillas. In Catholic processions there were penitents who walked on their knees. |
laze around, hang aroundlocución verbal (estar poco trabajador) (phrasal verb, intransitive: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning and not taking direct object--for example, "make up" [=reconcile]: "After they fought, they made up.") Juan está tomando un café hace una hora, hoy anda de vago. Juan's been sipping a cup of coffee for an hour: he's just lazing around today. |
go arm in arm withlocución verbal (ir codo con codo con) (literal) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") |
walk uprightlocución verbal (caminar recto) (phrasal verb, intransitive: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning and not taking direct object--for example, "make up" [=reconcile]: "After they fought, they made up.") Después del tratamiento María anda derecha. Maria has been walking upright since undergoing the treatment. |
pursue , followlocución verbal (querer, gustar) (figurative) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") |
be afterlocución verbal (buscar con insistencia) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Anda detrás de un trabajo y no cejará hasta conseguirlo. He's after a job and won't give up until he gets one. |
be seeing red, be hopping madlocución adverbial (coloquial (estar muy enojado) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Tuvo una pelea con su novia y anda echando chispas. |
be talked about, be the talk of the townlocución verbal (ser rumor) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") El nuevo amorío de la actriz anda en boca de todos. The actress's new fling is the talk of the town. |
to be in a rush, to be in a hurrylocución verbal (CR, coloquial (tener prisa) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Estás andando siempre en carreras, tanto estrés te va a matar. |
be out and aboutlocución verbal (estar fuera de casa) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Cuando éramos chicos era más común andar en la calle todo el día. When we were kids it was more common to be out and about all day. |
be heading in the wrong direction, be headed down the wrong pathlocución verbal (ir por mal camino) (figurative) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") |
walk around naked, go nakedlocución verbal (estar desnudo) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") |
go by taxi, be in taxi, take a taxilocución verbal (desplazarse en taxi) (US) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") No tengo coche pero tampoco ando a pie, siempre ando en taxi. |
be in lovelocución verbal (sentir amor por alguien) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Cecilia anda enamorada y sólo piensa en su chico. Cecilia is in love and all she thinks about is her boyfriend. |
go around shouting, go around yelling, go around screaminglocución verbal (hablar a gritos) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Todos en su casa andan gritando y es muy difícil concentrarse. Everyone in her house goes around shouting and it's very hard to concentrate. |
be out doing []locución verbal (realizando una acción) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Leticia no está en su casa, anda comprando ropa para su bebé. Leticia isn't home, she is out buying clothes for her baby. |
stagger, zigzaglocución verbal (caminar como borracho) (intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.") |
be very busylocución verbal (ES, coloquial (tener mucho trabajo) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Hace semanas que ando liado y no veo a mis amigos. I've been very busy for weeks and I haven't seen my friends. |
walk brisklylocución verbal (ir rápido) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Anda ligero que llegas tarde. Walk briskly; you're running late. |
be in bad shapelocución verbal (tener problemas) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Anda mal desde que lo echaron del trabajo. She's been in bad shape since she got the sack. |
not think straight, not have your head on straightlocución verbal (coloquial (estar loco) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Agustín quiere renunciar a su trabajo, creo que anda mal de la cabeza. Agustín wants to leave his job. He's not thinking straight (or: He doesn't have his head on straight). |
tell what to dolocución verbal (dar órdenes) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") El nuevo jefe anda mandado últimamente. The new boss has been telling us what to do lately. |
poke your nose in everyone's businesslocución verbal (MX, AmC, coloquial (inmiscuirse) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Eres un entrometido, siempre andas metido en todo. You're a meddler, you're always poking your nose in everyone's business. |
be involved in everythinglocución verbal (ser dinámico) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Alberto anda metido en todo: inglés, natación, la tesis, etc. Albert is involved in everything: English, swimming, his thesis, etc. |
mess things up, screw things uplocución verbal (hacer inconveniencias) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Yo que tú no lo invito a la fiesta, siempre anda metiendo la pata. I wouldn't invite him I were you because he always screws things up. |
be very upsetlocución verbal (sentirse ofendido) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Virginia anda molesta con su madre. Virginia is very upset with her mother. |
be well-off, be wealthylocución verbal (coloquial (tener más de lo necesario) (rich) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") La familia anda muy sobrada desde que el padre obtuvo el ascenso. The family is very well-off (or: wealthy) since the father got the promotion. |
be lostlocución verbal (estar desorientado) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Andrés anda perdido y aún no ha llegado. Andrés is lost and still hasn't arrived. |
be drunklocución verbal (México, coloquial (estar borracho) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Ayer andaba bien pipa y hoy tiene una resaca tremenda. Yesterday he was really drunk and today he has a massive hangover. |
dawdlelocución verbal (coloquial, figurado (caminar muy lento) (intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.") ¡Vamos chicos, dejen de andar pisando huevos y dense prisa! Come on guys, stop dawdling and get a move on! |
tread carefullylocución verbal (coloquial, figurado (ir con mucho cuidado) (figurative) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Con el jefe es mejor andar pisando huevos: cualquier cosa que uno diga puede enfurecerlo. It's better to tread carefully with the boss: anything you say might infuriate him. |
move aroundlocución verbal (por lugar indefinido) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Anda por ahí, tratando de ganarse la vida. She is moving around, trying to make a living. |
wander aroundlocución verbal (sin hacer nada de provecho) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Anda por ahí, dando vueltas todo el día y no estudia ni trabaja. He wanders around all day and doesn't study or work. |
go for a strollexpresión (caminar sin propósito) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Los domingos son perfectos para andar por andar. Sundays are perfect for going for a stroll. |
walk around stormilyexpresión (estar muy triste) (UK) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Desde que su esposo murió, Julia anda por la calle de la amargura. Ever since her husband died, Julia has been walking around stormily. |
go about life, go through lifelocución verbal (coloquial (vivir) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") |
have your head in the cloudslocución verbal (estar despistado) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") |
be brokelocución verbal (coloquial (estar en bancarrota) (money) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") |
sow discordlocución verbal (CR, coloq (sembrar cizaña) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") A Marisol le encanta andar regando veneno, contando chismes. |
flaunt sex appeallocución verbal (CR, coloq (seducir, galantear) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Ayer la vi que andaba regando veneno con una minifalda. |
be furious, be very upset, be angrylocución verbal (estar furioso) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") |
be forgetful, be scatterbrainedlocución verbal (coloquial (olvidar con frecuencia) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Anda un poco flaco de memoria, nunca sabe dónde deja sus llaves. He is a little forgetful, he never knows where he left his keys. |
be down in the dumpslocución verbal (coloquial (estar decaído) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") |
around the house, at homelocución adjetiva (sencillo) (expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.") Tengo puesto un pantalón de andar por casa. I have pants for around the house. |
be in a bad moodlocución verbal (coloquial (estar de mal genio) (temporary) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Hoy tuve un día difícil y estoy de malas pulgas: mejor ni me hables. I had a tough day today and I'm in a bad mood, so you'd better not speak to me. |
be in luck(tener la suerte de cara) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Ese día los ladrones estaban de suerte y se salvaron de que los atraparan. That day, the thieves were in luck and avoided capture. |
be daydreaminglocución verbal (coloquial (estar distraído) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") El profesor nota si los estudiantes están en las nubes. The professor notices if the students are daydreaming. |
have your head in the cloudslocución verbal (coloquial (estar muy feliz) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Lucía está en las nubes desde que se casó y tuvo a su primer hijo. Lucy has had her head in the clouds ever since she got married and gave birth to her first son. |
have your head in the cloudslocución verbal (coloquial (soñar despierto) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Es bonito estar en las nubes, pero no todo el día. It is nice to have your head in the clouds, but not all day long. |
all this about [+ present participle]expresión (algo que está pasando) (expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.") Esto de estar aguantando sus rollos a toda hora es pesadísimo. All this about putting up with his crap all day long is a pain in the ass. |
be on the right tracklocución verbal (vivir honestamente) (make good decisions) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Lucas va por el buen camino y seguro triunfará. Lucas is on the right track and he will surely do well. |
go out on the townlocución verbal (irse de juerga) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Esta noche nos vamos de picos pardos. |
stick your foot in your mouthlocución verbal (ES, coloquial (equivocarse) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Cada vez que habla mete las de andar. |
be knackered, be on the blinklocución verbal (coloquial (encontrarse en mal estado) (UK, informal) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") El refrigerador no anda muy allá: casi no enfría. Mi economía no anda muy allá, así que no puedo darme lujos. The fridge is on the blink: it barely cools. |
not be very welllocución verbal (coloquial (persona: tener mala salud) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") El viejo no andaba muy allá y le recetaron reposo. The old guy is not very well and he's been told to rest. |
not be much coplocución verbal (coloquial (cosa: ser inferior) (informal) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Compra ropa de buena calidad; la que tienes no anda muy allá. Buy good quality clothes: what you have is not much cop. |
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