Meaning
Used to give permission to enter or to continue.
Cultural Background
In Spain, '¡Adelante!' is often said very quickly and directly. It is not considered rude; it's just efficient hospitality. Mexicans often combine it with 'Pase' to make it softer. 'Pase, adelante' is a very common and warm welcome. While '¡Adelante!' is used, you will more frequently hear 'Dale' or 'Pasá' in casual settings. '¡Adelante!' sounds slightly more formal or 'classic' here. The word 'Siga' is a very strong competitor for 'Adelante' in Colombia. If you knock on a door, a Colombian is very likely to shout '¡Siga!'
The Knock-Knock Rule
If you hear a knock, don't say '¿Quién es?' first if you are expecting someone. Just shout '¡Adelante!'—it sounds much more welcoming.
Avoid 'Adelante de'
In formal writing, avoid 'adelante de'. Use 'delante de' for physical positions to sound more educated.
Meaning
Used to give permission to enter or to continue.
The Knock-Knock Rule
If you hear a knock, don't say '¿Quién es?' first if you are expecting someone. Just shout '¡Adelante!'—it sounds much more welcoming.
Avoid 'Adelante de'
In formal writing, avoid 'adelante de'. Use 'delante de' for physical positions to sound more educated.
Intonation Matters
A rising intonation sounds like a warm welcome. A flat or falling intonation can sound like you are busy and slightly annoyed by the interruption.
Browser Navigation
Look at your browser settings in Spanish. The 'Forward' button is 'Adelante'. This is a great way to remember the word.
Test Yourself
Complete the dialogue with the most appropriate phrase.
Marta: (Knocks on the door) ¿Se puede pasar? Juan: ¡________! Pasa y siéntate.
Juan is giving Marta permission to enter his room.
Match the use of 'Adelante' to the correct context.
Context: A teacher sees a student raise their hand.
The teacher uses '¡Adelante!' to tell the student they can ask their question.
Which sentence uses 'adelante' correctly?
Choose the correct sentence:
This correctly uses 'adelante' to indicate continuing in a direction.
Fill in the blank to complete the motivational phrase.
No mires al pasado, mira siempre hacia ________.
The phrase 'mirar hacia adelante' means to look toward the future.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Adelante vs. Delante
Practice Bank
4 exercisesMarta: (Knocks on the door) ¿Se puede pasar? Juan: ¡________! Pasa y siéntate.
Juan is giving Marta permission to enter his room.
Context: A teacher sees a student raise their hand.
The teacher uses '¡Adelante!' to tell the student they can ask their question.
Choose the correct sentence:
This correctly uses 'adelante' to indicate continuing in a direction.
No mires al pasado, mira siempre hacia ________.
The phrase 'mirar hacia adelante' means to look toward the future.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it with your boss, your teacher, or your best friend. It is one of the safest words in Spanish.
Yes, it's a great way to encourage someone to keep moving forward.
'Adelante' means 'forward/go ahead', while 'Pase' specifically means 'enter'. They are often interchangeable at a door.
No, 'adelante' is an adverb and never changes its ending.
Yes, it means 'Go ahead' (formal), but '¡Adelante!' alone is more common as an interjection.
Not usually as a standalone interjection. You might say 'Sigo adelante con el proyecto' (I'm moving forward with the project).
You wouldn't use 'Adelante'. You might say 'Haz lo que quieras' (Do whatever you want) with a sarcastic tone.
'Alante' is a common informal/dialectal contraction, but you should always write 'adelante' in formal contexts.
Yes, 'Siga todo adelante' means 'Go straight ahead'.
It means to successfully complete something difficult, like raising a child or finishing a hard project.
Yes, it is universally understood and used from Spain to Argentina.
In some contexts, like a queue, but 'Siguiente' is more common for 'Next'.
Related Phrases
Pase usted
synonymPlease enter (formal)
Siga
similarContinue / Come in
Dale
similarGo ahead / Okay
Hacia adelante
builds onForward-facing
Sacar adelante
specialized formTo pull through / To succeed
