Correr
Correr in 30 Sekunden
- Means 'to run' physically.
- Regular -er verb conjugation.
- Used for flowing water/time.
- Used in many common idioms.
Me gusta correr por el parque todas las mañanas para mantener una buena salud cardiovascular y respirar aire fresco antes de ir a trabajar.
- Physical Action
- The most common use involves human or animal locomotion at high speed, essential for exercise, sports, or escaping danger.
El tiempo parece correr mucho más rápido cuando estás disfrutando de tus vacaciones en la playa con tus amigos y familiares.
- Technological Context
- Used to indicate that a computer program, application, or script is currently executing or operating successfully on a specific operating system or hardware configuration.
Este nuevo videojuego puede correr a sesenta cuadros por segundo en la consola de última generación sin ningún problema de rendimiento.
Rápidamente empezó a correr el rumor de que la empresa iba a cerrar sus puertas a finales de este mismo año.
- Displacement
- Refers to the physical act of sliding, shifting, or moving an object across a surface, such as drawing curtains or sliding a heavy piece of furniture across the room.
Por favor, ¿puedes correr la cortina para que entre un poco más de luz natural en esta habitación tan oscura?
Yo siempre trato de correr al menos cinco kilómetros diarios para mantener mi resistencia física en un nivel óptimo para las competiciones.
- Present Tense
- Used to describe actions that happen regularly, current ongoing actions, or universal facts related to moving quickly on foot.
Ayer por la tarde, mi hermano y yo tuvimos que correr para no perder el último autobús que nos llevaba de regreso a casa.
- Imperfect Tense
- Ideal for describing background actions in the past, such as 'I was running when it started to rain', or habits from childhood.
Cuando era niño, yo solía correr por los campos de mi abuelo durante horas sin sentir ningún tipo de cansancio o fatiga.
El próximo año, me he propuesto la meta de correr la maratón completa de la ciudad para demostrar mi resistencia y dedicación al deporte.
- Subjunctive Mood
- Used after expressions of emotion, doubt, or necessity, such as 'Es importante que corras todos los días' (It is important that you run every day).
El médico me recomendó encarecidamente que corra con más frecuencia para mejorar mis niveles de colesterol y mi salud general a largo plazo.
En las transmisiones deportivas, los locutores siempre gritan emocionados cuando ven a un jugador correr hacia la portería contraria para marcar un gol decisivo.
- Sports Context
- Extensively used in athletics, football, basketball, and any physical activity that requires rapid movement across a field, court, or track.
Todas las mañanas veo a decenas de personas correr desesperadamente por los andenes del metro para no llegar tarde a sus respectivos trabajos en el centro.
- Business Idioms
- Phrases like 'correr a cargo de' (to be at the expense of) or 'correr el riesgo' (to run the risk) are standard in corporate and legal Spanish.
El director de la compañía decidió correr el riesgo de invertir millones en la nueva tecnología, esperando obtener grandes beneficios a largo plazo.
A veces es mucho mejor simplemente dejar correr los pequeños problemas cotidianos en lugar de estresarse innecesariamente por cosas que no tienen verdadera importancia.
- Nature and Weather
- Used to describe the movement of air (wind) or water (rivers, streams), adding a sense of speed and fluidity to environmental descriptions.
En las noches frías de invierno, se puede escuchar cómo empieza a correr un viento helado que atraviesa las calles desiertas de la antigua ciudad colonial.
Un error común es intentar traducir literalmente la expresión inglesa 'to run a business' usando el verbo correr, lo cual suena muy extraño en español.
- Business Management
- Never use this verb to mean managing a business. Instead, use 'dirigir una empresa', 'administrar un negocio', or 'llevar un proyecto'.
Es importante saber si prefieres correr por la playa sintiendo la arena, o si prefieres hacerlo en una pista de atletismo profesional.
- Financial Responsibility
- The exact phrase is 'correr a cargo de'. For example, 'Los gastos de envío corren a cargo del comprador' (Shipping costs are borne by the buyer).
El organizador del evento aclaró que todos los gastos de alojamiento y transporte iban a correr a cargo de la empresa patrocinadora principal.
- Regional Slang
- Be aware that in Mexico and some other regions, 'correr a alguien' means to fire them or kick them out of a place.
Después de llegar tarde por tercera vez consecutiva en la misma semana, el jefe decidió correr al empleado sin darle ninguna otra oportunidad de explicarse.
Aunque me encanta correr largas distancias, a veces prefiero simplemente trotar suavemente para relajar los músculos y disfrutar del paisaje sin tanto esfuerzo físico.
- Trotar vs Correr
- Trotar is specifically jogging (slower, steady pace), whereas correr is running (faster, potentially sprinting or racing).
El médico me dijo que si no puedo correr debido a mi lesión en la rodilla, al menos debería caminar a paso ligero durante media hora diaria.
- Fleeing and Escaping
- Use 'huir' or 'escapar' when the primary focus is getting away from a threat, rather than the physical mechanics of moving your legs quickly.
Al escuchar la fuerte explosión en el edificio contiguo, la multitud aterrorizada empezó a correr en todas direcciones intentando huir del inminente peligro.
- Flowing Liquids
- 'Fluir' is a direct synonym for the metaphorical use of running water, often used in geographical or poetic descriptions of rivers and streams.
Es verdaderamente relajante sentarse a la orilla del río y simplemente observar cómo el agua cristalina no deja de correr suavemente sobre las piedras desgastadas.
How Formal Is It?
Schwierigkeitsgrad
Wichtige Grammatik
Regular -er verb conjugation in the present tense.
Use of 'por' vs 'en' for expressing location of movement.
Periphrastic future (ir a + infinitive) for planned runs.
Present progressive (estar + gerundio) for ongoing running.
Use of subjunctive after expressions of hope (espero que corras).
Beispiele nach Niveau
Yo corro en el parque.
I run in the park.
Present tense, first person singular.
El perro corre rápido.
The dog runs fast.
Present tense, third person singular.
Nosotros corremos todos los días.
We run every day.
Present tense, first person plural.
¿Tú corres en la mañana?
Do you run in the morning?
Present tense, second person singular informal.
Los niños corren en la escuela.
The children run at school.
Present tense, third person plural.
Ella corre con su hermano.
She runs with her brother.
Present tense, third person singular with preposition 'con'.
Yo no corro muy rápido.
I do not run very fast.
Negative sentence in the present tense.
Usted corre en el gimnasio.
You run in the gym.
Present tense, second person singular formal.
Ayer corrí cinco kilómetros.
Yesterday I ran five kilometers.
Preterite tense, completed past action.
Cuando era niño, corría mucho.
When I was a child, I used to run a lot.
Imperfect tense, habitual past action.
Voy a correr esta tarde.
I am going to run this afternoon.
Periphrastic future (ir a + infinitive).
Ellos corrieron para tomar el tren.
They ran to catch the train.
Preterite tense, expressing purpose with 'para'.
¿Corriste en la carrera ayer?
Did you run in the race yesterday?
Preterite tense, question format.
Mi amigo corría mientras yo caminaba.
My friend was running while I was walking.
Imperfect tense used for simultaneous past actions.
No pudimos correr porque llovía.
We couldn't run because it was raining.
Infinitive used after a conjugated modal verb (poder).
Ella corrió a casa rápidamente.
She ran home quickly.
Preterite tense with an adverb of manner.
Si tengo tiempo, correré mañana.
If I have time, I will run tomorrow.
Simple future tense in a conditional sentence.
Espero que corras bien hoy.
I hope you run well today.
Present subjunctive after an expression of hope.
El agua corre por el río.
The water flows through the river.
Metaphorical use of the verb for liquids.
El tiempo corre muy rápido.
Time flies very fast.
Metaphorical use of the verb for time.
Tuve que correr para no llegar tarde.
I had to run so as not to arrive late.
Infinitive used after 'tener que' expressing obligation.
Me gustaría correr una maratón.
I would like to run a marathon.
Infinitive used after a conditional verb.
Estaba corriendo cuando me llamaste.
I was running when you called me.
Past progressive tense (estar + gerundio).
El rumor corrió por todo el pueblo.
The rumor spread through the whole town.
Metaphorical use for the spread of information.
La empresa decidió correr el riesgo.
The company decided to run the risk.
Idiomatic expression 'correr el riesgo'.
Los gastos correrán a cargo de la empresa.
The expenses will be borne by the company.
Idiomatic expression 'correr a cargo de'.
Si hubiera entrenado, habría corrido mejor.
If I had trained, I would have run better.
Past perfect subjunctive and conditional perfect.
Corre la voz de que van a cerrar la fábrica.
Word is spreading that they are going to close the factory.
Idiomatic expression 'correr la voz'.
Dejemos correr este asunto por ahora.
Let's let this matter slide for now.
Idiomatic expression 'dejar correr'.
El programa corre perfectamente en este ordenador.
The program runs perfectly on this computer.
Technological context use of the verb.
Lo corrieron del trabajo por llegar tarde.
They fired him from his job for arriving late.
Regional (Mexican) use meaning 'to fire'.
Corre el viento frío del norte.
The cold north wind is blowing.
Poetic/natural use describing the wind.
Es mejor correr un tupido velo sobre ese incidente.
It's better to draw a veil over that incident.
Advanced idiom 'correr un tupido velo'.
Los intereses de la deuda siguen corriendo diariamente.
The interest on the debt continues to accrue daily.
Financial context, meaning to accrue or accumulate.
Su imaginación corría desbocada al leer la novela.
His imagination ran wild while reading the novel.
Figurative use 'correr desbocada' (to run wild).
Se apresuró a correr las cortinas para ocultar la luz.
He hurried to draw the curtains to hide the light.
Physical displacement meaning (to draw/slide).
Por sus venas corre sangre de artistas.
The blood of artists runs in his veins.
Poetic/metaphorical use regarding heritage.
El contrato estipula que las penalizaciones correrán desde mañana.
The contract stipulates that penalties will apply from tomorrow.
Legal context, meaning to take effect or apply.
No hay prisa, deja que el tiempo corra.
There is no hurry, let time take its course.
Philosophical/idiomatic use regarding time.
La noticia corrió como la pólvora por las redes sociales.
The news spread like wildfire through social media.
Simile 'correr como la pólvora' (to spread like wildfire).
El río corre mansamente hacia su inexorable final en el mar.
The river flows gently towards its inexorable end in the sea.
Highly literary and poetic description.
Corren malos tiempos para la lírica, como diría el poeta.
These are bad times for poetry, as the poet would say.
Idiomatic phrase 'corren malos tiempos' (bad times are upon us).
Se dejó correr por la pendiente de la melancolía.
He let himself slide down the slope of melancholy.
Deeply metaphorical use indicating emotional decline.
El plazo corre en su contra, señor abogado.
The deadline is working against you, Mr. Lawyer.
Legal jargon 'correr en contra' (to run against someone).
Corrió con la peor parte en el reparto de la herencia.
He got the short end of the stick in the distribution of the inheritance.
Idiomatic expression 'correr con la peor parte'.
Las lágrimas corrían a raudales por sus mejillas curtidas.
Tears streamed down his weathered cheeks.
Expressive phrasing 'correr a raudales' (to stream/pour).
Es un rumor que corre de boca en boca por los mentideros de la corte.
It is a rumor that spreads from mouth to mouth through the gossip circles of the court.
Classical/historical phrasing 'correr de boca en boca'.
Aquel caballo corría que se las pelaba.
That horse ran like the wind.
Highly colloquial/regional idiom 'correr que se las pelaba'.
Häufige Kollokationen
Häufige Phrasen
Wird oft verwechselt mit
Redewendungen & Ausdrücke
Leicht verwechselbar
Satzmuster
So verwendest du es
Be cautious using it in Mexico, where it can mean 'to fire someone' depending on the context.
While primarily literal (physical running), its figurative uses (time, water, rumors) are extremely common and essential for fluency.
- Translating 'to run a business' literally as 'correr un negocio' instead of using 'dirigir'.
- Failing to trill the double 'rr', pronouncing it like a single tap or an English 'r'.
- Using 'correr' for physical machines working (like a car engine) instead of 'funcionar'.
- Omitting the prepositions in the idiom 'correr a cargo de' (e.g., saying 'correr cargo').
- Confusing 'correr por' (moving through) with 'correr en' (location) when describing running routes.
Tipps
Regular Conjugation
Remember that 'correr' is perfectly regular. If you know how to conjugate 'comer' or 'beber', you already know how to conjugate 'correr' in all tenses.
Trill the RR
Don't be lazy with the 'rr'. A single 'r' sound can sometimes change the meaning of words in Spanish, though here it just sounds like a heavy accent. Practice the trill!
Not for Businesses
Never translate 'I run a company' as 'Yo corro una empresa'. Always use 'dirigir' or 'administrar' for management contexts.
Correr la voz
Use 'correr la voz' when you want people to spread information. It makes you sound very natural and fluent in conversational Spanish.
Por vs En
Use 'correr por' when you want to emphasize the route or moving through an area (correr por la playa). Use 'en' just to state the location.
Salir a correr
Instead of just saying 'corro', use the phrase 'salir a correr' to describe the activity of going out for a jog or exercise routine.
Flowing Water
Don't be confused if you read about water 'running' (el agua corre). It is a standard metaphorical use for flowing liquids in Spanish.
Mexican Slang
If you are in Mexico and hear someone was 'corrido', they weren't chased; they were fired from their job. Context is key!
Correr el riesgo
Memorize the chunk 'correr el riesgo' (to run the risk). It is used exactly like its English counterpart and is very common in formal speech.
Time Flies
In Spanish, time doesn't fly; it runs. Use 'el tiempo corre' to express that time is passing quickly.
Einprägen
Eselsbrücke
Imagine a CORE of runners racing around a track. CORE-rer = to run.
Wortherkunft
Latin
Kultureller Kontext
In Spain, 'hacer footing' or 'hacer running' are popular anglicisms, but 'salir a correr' remains the standard Spanish phrase.
In Mexico, 'correr a alguien' is widely used informal slang for firing someone from their job.
In Argentina, you might hear 'pegar una corrida' meaning to make a quick run or dash somewhere.
Im Alltag üben
Kontexte aus dem Alltag
Gesprächseinstiege
"¿Te gusta correr por las mañanas?"
"¿Alguna vez has corrido una maratón?"
"¿Tuviste que correr hoy para llegar a tiempo?"
"¿Quién corre con los gastos en tu familia?"
"¿Qué rumores corren por la oficina últimamente?"
Tagebuch-Impulse
Describe tu rutina de ejercicio. ¿Sueles correr?
Escribe sobre una vez que tuviste que correr muy rápido por una emergencia.
¿Qué riesgos estás dispuesto a correr en tu vida profesional?
Describe un río o arroyo cerca de tu casa y cómo corre el agua.
Escribe sobre un rumor que corrió por tu escuela o trabajo.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, this is a very common mistake made by English speakers. In Spanish, you do not 'run' a business. Instead, you use verbs like 'dirigir' (to direct), 'administrar' (to manage), or 'llevar' (to carry/run). Saying 'corro un negocio' sounds like you are physically jogging with a business.
Both are grammatically correct but have a slight nuance. 'Correr por el parque' implies movement through or around the area of the park. 'Correr en el parque' simply states the location where the action of running is taking place. 'Por' emphasizes the trajectory, while 'en' emphasizes the setting.
The double 'rr' is a strong, trilled alveolar consonant. You produce it by placing the tip of your tongue against the ridge just behind your upper front teeth and exhaling forcefully, causing the tongue to vibrate rapidly. It takes practice if your native language does not have this sound.
Yes, 'correr' is a completely regular -er verb in all simple tenses of the indicative and subjunctive moods. This makes it very easy to conjugate once you know the standard endings for -er verbs like 'comer' or 'beber'.
'Correr la voz' is a very common idiomatic expression that translates to 'to spread the word' or 'to spread a rumor'. It is used when information is being passed quickly from person to person within a community or group.
Yes, in modern contexts, 'correr' is often used to describe computer programs or software executing (e.g., 'el programa corre bien'). However, for physical machines like cars or engines, it is much more common and correct to use the verb 'funcionar' (to function/work).
In Mexico and some other parts of Latin America, 'correr a alguien' is a colloquial expression meaning to fire someone from their job or to kick them out of a place. So, 'me corrieron' means 'I got fired' or 'they kicked me out'.
The most natural and common way to say 'to go for a run' in Spanish is 'salir a correr'. For example, 'Voy a salir a correr esta tarde' means 'I am going to go for a run this afternoon'.
The action of running or a race is called 'la carrera'. A person who runs (a runner) is called 'el corredor' (male) or 'la corredora' (female).
While it generally implies speed faster than walking, the exact speed can vary. For a slow, steady pace, the verb 'trotar' (to jog) is often more precise. 'Correr' is the general term for the mechanics of running, regardless of whether it's a marathon pace or a full sprint.
Teste dich selbst 200 Fragen
Write 'I run in the park' in Spanish.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write 'The dog runs fast' in Spanish.
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Write 'Yesterday I ran' in Spanish.
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Write 'I am going to run' in Spanish.
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Write 'The water flows' using 'correr'.
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Write 'I will run tomorrow' in Spanish.
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Write 'To run the risk' in Spanish.
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Write 'Spread the word' using 'correr'.
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Write 'To draw a veil over it' using 'correr'.
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Write 'The news spread like wildfire' using 'correr'.
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Write 'Bad times are upon us' using 'correr'.
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Write 'He got the short end of the stick' using 'correr'.
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Write 'We run' in Spanish.
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Write 'She used to run' in Spanish.
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Write 'Time flies' using 'correr'.
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Write 'Let it slide' using 'correr'.
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Write 'Draw the curtains' using 'correr'.
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Write 'Tears streamed abundantly' using 'correr'.
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Write 'They run' in Spanish.
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Write 'I would run' in Spanish.
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Say 'I run' in Spanish.
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Say 'He runs' in Spanish.
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Say 'I ran yesterday' in Spanish.
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Say 'We are going to run' in Spanish.
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Say 'Time flies' using 'correr'.
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Say 'I will run' in Spanish.
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Say 'To run the risk' in Spanish.
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Say 'Spread the word' using 'correr'.
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Say 'Draw the curtains' using 'correr'.
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Say 'Interest accrues' using 'correr'.
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Say 'Bad times are upon us' using 'correr'.
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Say 'He got the short end of the stick' using 'correr'.
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Say 'They run' in Spanish.
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Say 'She used to run' in Spanish.
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Say 'The water flows' using 'correr'.
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Say 'Let it slide' using 'correr'.
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Say 'Like wildfire' using 'pólvora'.
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Say 'Abundantly' using 'raudales'.
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Say 'We run' in Spanish.
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Say 'I would run' in Spanish.
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Listen and type: [Audio: Yo corro en el parque]
I run in the park.
Listen and type: [Audio: El perro corre]
The dog runs.
Listen and type: [Audio: Ayer corrí mucho]
Yesterday I ran a lot.
Listen and type: [Audio: Voy a correr mañana]
I am going to run tomorrow.
Listen and type: [Audio: El tiempo corre rápido]
Time flies fast.
Listen and type: [Audio: El agua corre por el río]
The water flows through the river.
Listen and type: [Audio: Decidió correr el riesgo]
Decided to run the risk.
Listen and type: [Audio: Corre la voz en el pueblo]
Word is spreading in the town.
Listen and type: [Audio: Corrió un tupido velo]
Drew a veil over it.
Listen and type: [Audio: Corrió como la pólvora]
Spread like wildfire.
Listen and type: [Audio: Corren malos tiempos]
Bad times are upon us.
Listen and type: [Audio: Corrió con la peor parte]
Got the worst part.
Listen and type: [Audio: Nosotros corremos]
We run.
Listen and type: [Audio: Correré mañana]
I will run tomorrow.
Listen and type: [Audio: Dejar correr el asunto]
Let the matter slide.
/ 200 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The verb 'correr' primarily means to run, but is essential for describing flow, time, and operating software. Example: 'Yo corro en el parque' (I run in the park).
- Means 'to run' physically.
- Regular -er verb conjugation.
- Used for flowing water/time.
- Used in many common idioms.
Regular Conjugation
Remember that 'correr' is perfectly regular. If you know how to conjugate 'comer' or 'beber', you already know how to conjugate 'correr' in all tenses.
Trill the RR
Don't be lazy with the 'rr'. A single 'r' sound can sometimes change the meaning of words in Spanish, though here it just sounds like a heavy accent. Practice the trill!
Not for Businesses
Never translate 'I run a company' as 'Yo corro una empresa'. Always use 'dirigir' or 'administrar' for management contexts.
Correr la voz
Use 'correr la voz' when you want people to spread information. It makes you sound very natural and fluent in conversational Spanish.
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