Today’s Spanish word of the day is “andar”.
It’s a versatile verb that usually means “to walk” or “to go”.
It can also be used figuratively to refer to whether or not something works, or how something is going, for example:
- El reloj no anda. – The clock isn’t working.
- Las cosas andan bien en el trabajo. – Things are going well at work.
The phrase “andar en bicicleta” is also used to refer to cycling, for example:
- Me gusta andar en bicileta los domingos. – I like to ride my bike on Sundays.
You can also use the verb “andar” with the gerund of a verb as a colloquial way of referring to something that is in the process of happening, or has been “going on”, for example:
- Ando buscando mis llaves. – I’m looking for my keys / I’ve been looking for my keys.
The word “andar” comes from Latin ambulare, meaning “to walk”. This is also the root of the English verb “to amble”, as well as words such as “ambulatory” and “ambulance” (originally a “walking hospital”).
Example sentences
Él anda con muletas después de la operación.
He walks with crutches after the operation.
Después de andar durante horas, finalmente llegamos a nuestro destino.
After walking for hours, we finally arrived at our destination.
Me gusta andar con mis pantalones al revés para ver la reacción de la gente.
I like to walk with my pants on backwards to see people’s reactions.
Ando pensando en mudarme a otro país.
I’ve been thinking about moving to another country.
Ando tan despacio que hasta los caracoles me adelantan.
I walk so slowly that even snails overtake me.
