What Is the Phrase for ‘To’ in Spanish?

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If you wish to say the phrase “to” in Spanish, your choices will rely on how you plan to make use of it. Usually, “to” interprets as a, but there are different methods to say “to,” together with hasta, hacia, para, and even no translation in any respect. 

Mastering the ins and outs of “to” in Spanish can appear tough, however it comes naturally with time. With Rosetta Stone’s immersive method, you’ll study the language, not simply the phrases. So whether or not you wish to ir a la playa (go to the seashore) or caminar hasta los confines del mundo (stroll to the ends of the earth), translating “to” can grow to be second nature and make your Spanish really feel extra easy.

Utilizing a for ‘to’ in Spanish

Whereas a is a small phrase, it packs a variety of punch. This necessary Spanish preposition is the commonest translation of “to” in Spanish and has a variety of makes use of. 

A is ceaselessly used with the irregular verb ir (to go) to speak about locations, motion, or route in Spanish. For instance: 

• Voy a España. = I’m going to Spain.
• Los estudiantes caminaron a la escuela. = The scholars walked to faculty. 
• Gira a la derecha. = Flip to the suitable. 

Different methods to say ‘to’ in Spanish

There are a lot of different methods to translate “to” relying on the context of your sentence. 

Hasta 

Hasta in Spanish sometimes means “to” within the sense of “till” a sure vacation spot. 

• Caminamos hasta el río. = We walked to the river.

Hacia 

Hacia can be used to point motion or route, particularly towards one thing.

• El perro corrió hacia su dueño. = The canine ran to me.

Menos

When stating a time earlier than the hour, you’ll translate “to” as menos, indicating minutes till the subsequent hour.

• Son las seis menos cuarto. = It’s a quarter to six. 

Para

Whereas it’s primarily used as “for,” para means “to” when used earlier than an infinitive to specific a objective. 

• Trabajo para ganar dinero. = I work to earn cash.

Para is a posh preposition with many makes use of past “to”: Para can imply “for, to, of, by, at, or towards.”

Easy methods to use ‘to’ with Spanish infinitives

In Spanish, infinitives like estudiar (to review) and estar (to be) inherently carry the “to” that means inside the verb, in order that they don’t require the usage of a preposition. For instance: 

• Ella necesita estudiar. = She wants to review. 
• Yo quiero estar contigo. = I need to be with you.

Nevertheless, this could fluctuate relying on the precise infinitive verb phrase. 

Infinitive verb phrases that use a for ‘to’

Though infinitives in Spanish carry the “to” that means, some infinitive constructions require the preposition a to hyperlink the primary verb with a following infinitive. Probably the most frequent examples is utilizing “go” in Spanish to specific future plans, however there are a number of different ceaselessly used verbs that observe this sample. For instance: 

• Voy a comer. = I’m going to eat.
• Empezó a nevar. = It began to snow.
• Quiero aprender a cocinar. = I wish to study to cook dinner.
• Comenzó a escribir una novela. = He started to write a novel. 

Infinitive verb phrases that use different translations of ‘to’

Different infinitive verb phrases require the usage of one other preposition to specific “to,” reminiscent of: 

• Tenemos que limpiar la cocina. = We now have to clear the kitchen. 
• Tengo ganas de ir a un museo. = I need to go to a museum.  

Translate ‘to’ in Spanish with confidence because of Rosetta Stone

Whereas the commonest translation of “to” in Spanish is the small however mighty preposition a, it’s essential to acknowledge the opposite methods this idea will be expressed by means of phrases like hasta, hacia, and para, or with no translation in any respect when utilizing infinitives like comer (to eat) and ir (to go) in Spanish. 

Changing into comfy with the totally different makes use of of “to” will considerably improve your capacity to speak successfully in Spanish. By having guided conversations about on a regular basis subjects like day by day routines and future plans with a Rosetta Stone tutor, these distinctions will really feel pure, permitting you to specific your self with larger accuracy and confidence.