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A2 verb #7,000 most common 12 min read

emigrar

Top 7,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips emigrar in 30 Seconds

Explanation emigrar in your Level:

At the A1 level, you learn that 'emigrar' means to move to another country. You might use it to say simple things like 'Mi abuelo emigró' (My grandfather emigrated). It's a regular verb, so you can practice the basic present tense: 'Yo emigro', 'Tú emigras'. The focus here is just on the idea of moving far away to live. You don't need to worry about complex political reasons yet. Just think of it as a 'big move'. You might use it when talking about where your family comes from. For example, 'Mi familia emigró de Italia'. It is one of the first 'big' verbs you might learn to describe your background or family history. Learning this word helps you connect with other people's stories because so many people have families that moved from one place to another. You can also use it to talk about animals, like 'Los pájaros emigran', which is a simple way to practice the verb in the plural form. It's an important word for building your basic vocabulary about travel and life changes.

At the A2 level, you start using 'emigrar' to talk about reasons and plans. You can say 'Quiero emigrar para trabajar' (I want to emigrate to work) or 'Él emigró porque no había trabajo' (He emigrated because there was no work). You begin to use prepositions like 'a' (to) and 'de' (from) more accurately. You also learn the past tense (preterite) because you often talk about why people moved in the past. For example: 'Mis padres emigraron hace veinte años'. At this level, you can also differentiate between 'emigrar' (leaving) and 'mudarse' (moving house). You understand that 'emigrar' is a much bigger deal than just changing apartments. You might also start to see this word in simple news stories or reading exercises about people moving to Spain or Latin America. It's a key verb for the 'Personal Information' and 'Background' topics in A2 exams. You should be able to conjugate it in the present and past tenses reliably and use it with simple 'por' and 'para' phrases to explain motivations.

At the B1 level, you use 'emigrar' in more complex sentence structures, such as using the subjunctive to express feelings or doubts. For example: 'Es triste que mucha gente tenga que emigrar' (It's sad that many people have to emigrate). You can discuss the advantages and disadvantages of emigrating. You also start to use the noun 'emigración' and understand the social implications. You might talk about 'la fuga de cerebros' (brain drain) or the economic impact of people leaving a country. Your vocabulary expands to include related terms like 'remesas' (money sent home) and 'nostalgia'. You can participate in a debate about whether it's better to stay in your country or emigrate for a better life. You are also more comfortable using the future and conditional tenses to discuss hypothetical migration: 'Si tuviera dinero, emigraría a Australia'. This level requires you to move beyond simple facts and start expressing opinions and complex emotions related to the act of emigrating. You should also be able to understand short articles about migration trends in Spanish-speaking countries.

At the B2 level, 'emigrar' is used in sophisticated discussions about sociology, politics, and global trends. You can talk about 'corrientes migratorias' (migratory flows) and the 'causas estructurales' (structural causes) that force people to emigrate. You understand the nuances between 'emigración voluntaria' and 'emigración forzada'. You can use the verb in complex temporal clauses: 'Habiendo decidido emigrar, preparó todos sus papeles' (Having decided to emigrate, he prepared all his papers). You are expected to use a wide range of synonyms and related expressions to avoid repetition. You can analyze the cultural impact of emigration on both the home country and the host country. You might read literature or watch documentaries where 'emigrar' is a central theme and be able to summarize the main points and arguments. Your use of prepositions and advanced grammar (like the past subjunctive) should be mostly accurate when discussing this topic. You can also handle more abstract uses of the word, such as 'emigrar' to a different digital platform or a different field of study, though the primary meaning remains geographical.

At the C1 level, you possess a deep understanding of 'emigrar' and its place in the Spanish language. You can use it with precision in academic essays or professional reports. You understand the historical weight of the word in different Spanish-speaking regions—for example, what 'emigrar' meant during the Spanish Civil War versus what it means in modern-day Venezuela. You can use idiomatic expressions and metaphors related to movement and departure. You are capable of discussing the psychological aspects of emigrating, such as 'el duelo migratorio' (migratory grief). Your speech is fluent and spontaneous, allowing you to debate complex immigration policies using 'emigrar' and its derivatives with ease. You can recognize and use different registers, from the highly formal 'se procedió a emigrar' to more colloquial ways of expressing the same idea. You understand the subtle differences between 'emigrar', 'exiliarse', 'transhumar', and other specialized verbs of movement. Your ability to use the verb in the passive voice or in complex 'se' constructions is well-developed.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of 'emigrar'. You can appreciate its use in high literature, poetry, and philosophical texts. You can discuss the concept of 'emigrar' as a metaphor for the human condition—the constant search for something else. You can analyze the etymology and historical evolution of the word and how its connotations have shifted over centuries. You can produce complex, nuanced texts that explore the intersection of 'emigrar' with identity, language, and globalization. You can understand and use archaic or very formal forms if necessary. You are also able to catch subtle irony or sarcasm when the word is used in political satire. Your vocabulary is so broad that 'emigrar' is just one of dozens of ways you can describe movement, and you choose it specifically for its precise denotative and connotative values. You can lead seminars or give presentations on migration studies in Spanish, handling the most technical aspects of the vocabulary without hesitation. The word is no longer just a vocabulary item; it is a tool for profound expression.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

emigrar in 30 Seconds

Emigrar means to leave your country to live in another. It is a regular -ar verb in Spanish.
Think of 'E' for 'Exit'. It focuses on the country you are leaving, not the one you enter.
Commonly used with prepositions 'de' (from) and 'a' (to) to describe the journey clearly.
Essential for talking about family history, career moves abroad, and global social issues.

The Spanish verb emigrar is a fundamental term used to describe the act of leaving one's place of residence, typically a country, to settle in another. While it is often discussed in political or sociological contexts, it is a deeply personal word that captures the human experience of departure, seeking new opportunities, or escaping hardship. In the CEFR A2 level, learners begin to talk about their lives, backgrounds, and future plans, making this verb essential for discussing family history or personal aspirations. The word focuses specifically on the exit point of the journey. When you use emigrar, your mental focus is on the country being left behind, whereas inmigrar focuses on the destination.

The Core Concept: To depart from one's homeland with the intention of permanent or long-term settlement elsewhere. It implies a significant life transition rather than a temporary trip or vacation.

Muchos jóvenes deciden emigrar para buscar mejores oportunidades laborales en el extranjero.

Understanding the nuance of this word requires looking at its Latin roots. The prefix 'e-' or 'ex-' signifies 'out of,' which perfectly aligns with the action of moving out. This is a common pattern in Spanish and English cognates. In daily conversation, you might hear people talking about their grandparents who had to emigrar during a war, or colleagues who are considering emigrar to a country with a better climate. It is a regular '-ar' verb, making it one of the easier verbs for beginners to conjugate in various tenses like the present (emigro), past (emigré), and future (emigraré).

Social Context: It is frequently used in news reports regarding demographic shifts, economic crises, or global movements. However, it is equally common in family storytelling, where it carries an emotional weight of nostalgia and bravery.

Mi abuelo tuvo que emigrar de España en los años cincuenta.

Beyond humans, the word is also used in biology to describe animal movements. Birds, for instance, emigran to warmer climates during the winter. This broader application helps learners understand that the core of the word is about movement away from a current habitat. Whether discussing a scientist moving to a new research facility in a different country or a swallow flying south, emigrar is the verb of choice for that outward journey.

Grammatical Connection: It is often followed by the preposition 'a' (to) to indicate the destination, or 'de' (from) to indicate the origin. For example: 'Emigrar de México a Canadá'.

Las aves suelen emigrar hacia el sur cuando comienza el frío intenso.

Es difícil emigrar sin conocer el idioma del país de destino.

Using emigrar correctly involves understanding its relationship with prepositions and its role as an intransitive verb. Because it describes a change of state or location, it is frequently paired with temporal markers (when) and causal markers (why). At the A2 level, you should focus on constructing simple but complete thoughts regarding movement. The most common structure is [Subject] + [Conjugated Verb] + [Preposition] + [Place]. For example, 'Ellos emigraron a Europa' (They emigrated to Europe). This structure is predictable and follows standard Spanish syntax rules for verbs of motion.

Using 'De' and 'A': To be precise about the journey, use 'de' for the origin and 'a' for the destination. 'Él emigró de Italia a Argentina'. This clearly defines the path taken by the subject.

Mis padres decidieron emigrar de su pueblo natal en busca de trabajo.

When discussing reasons for moving, the preposition 'por' (because of/due to) or the phrase 'para' (in order to) are your best friends. 'Emigraron por la guerra' (They emigrated because of the war) or 'Emigraron para estudiar' (They emigrated to study). These additions provide depth to your sentences and allow you to express complex human motivations. In the past tense, which is very common for this verb, remember that emigrar is regular. In the preterite: emigré, emigraste, emigró, emigramos, emigraron. This regularity makes it a reliable verb for storytelling about ancestors or historical events.

The Future and Conditional: Use the future tense to talk about plans: 'Si no encuentro trabajo, emigraré'. Use the conditional for hypothetical situations: 'Yo nunca emigraría a un país tan frío'.

¿Te gustaría emigrar a otro continente algún día?

Another important aspect is the use of the gerund 'emigrando' (emigrating). This is used for ongoing processes or trends. 'Cada vez más personas están emigrando por motivos climáticos' (More and more people are emigrating for climate reasons). This usage is very common in news and sociological discussions. When using emigrar with modal verbs like 'querer' (to want), 'poder' (to be able to), or 'deber' (should), the verb remains in the infinitive: 'Quiero emigrar', 'Puedo emigrar', 'Debo emigrar'. This is a very useful pattern for beginners to express desires and necessities without complex conjugations.

Common Adverbs: Pair the verb with adverbs like 'legalmente', 'ilegalmente', 'voluntariamente', or 'forzosamente' to provide more detail about the nature of the move.

Muchos científicos tienen que emigrar para continuar sus investigaciones.

Si decides emigrar, asegúrate de tener todos tus documentos en orden.

The word emigrar is ubiquitous in Spanish-speaking societies because migration is a central theme in Hispanic history and contemporary life. You will hear it in various settings, from the most formal to the most intimate. In a formal setting, such as a news broadcast on Univision or RTVE, anchors often discuss 'la población que decide emigrar' (the population that decides to emigrate) when reporting on economic statistics or border policies. In these contexts, the word is treated with a level of clinical or political seriousness, focusing on the macro-level movements of people across borders.

In the Media: News headlines often use 'emigrar' to describe brain drain (fuga de cerebros), where educated professionals leave their country for better pay elsewhere.

El noticiero informó que miles de personas planean emigrar este año.

In a familial or social setting, emigrar takes on a more emotional tone. You might hear it during a Sunday dinner when an elderly relative tells stories of how they had to 'emigrar con una maleta llena de sueños' (emigrate with a suitcase full of dreams). It is a word of resilience. In many Latin American countries, the reality of 'emigrar al norte' (emigrating to the north, referring to the USA) is a common conversational topic, often discussed with a mix of hope and sadness because of the families left behind. Music and literature also frequently employ this verb. Songs by artists like Juan Luis Guerra or Manu Chao often touch upon the themes of 'el que tiene que emigrar' (the one who has to emigrate), reflecting the cultural heartbeat of the migrant experience.

In Educational Settings: History teachers use the word to explain the waves of Spanish migration to the Americas during the colonial era or the 20th-century movements due to the Civil War.

En la clase de historia, aprendimos por qué muchos europeos decidieron emigrar a América.

You will also encounter emigrar in administrative and legal environments. If you are applying for a visa or residency, you might see forms asking if you have the intention to 'emigrar permanentemente'. In these cases, the word is precise and legalistic. Furthermore, in the world of nature documentaries (like those narrated in Spanish), you'll hear about 'especies que emigran' (species that emigrate/migrate). This diversity of use—from the plight of a refugee to the flight of a bird—makes it one of the most versatile and important verbs to master for a well-rounded Spanish vocabulary.

In Literature: Authors like Gabriel García Márquez or Isabel Allende often write about characters who must emigrate, using the verb to evoke feelings of displacement and 'soledad'.

La novela describe el dolor de emigrar y dejar atrás a la familia.

Muchos profesionales prefieren emigrar a países con economías más estables.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make is confusing emigrar with inmigrar. While they describe the same event, they do so from different perspectives. This is identical to the English 'emigrate' and 'immigrate'. If you say 'Emigré a España', you are highlighting that you left your country. If you say 'Inmigré a España', you are highlighting that you arrived in Spain. Another common mistake is using 'emigrar' when you simply mean 'mudarse' (to move house). Emigrar almost always implies crossing a national border or a very significant geographical and cultural boundary. Moving from one apartment to another in the same city is never 'emigrar'.

The Preposition Trap: Learners often use 'en' instead of 'a' or 'de'. Don't say 'Emigré en Francia'. Say 'Emigré a Francia' (I emigrated to France) or 'Emigré de Francia' (I emigrated from France).

Incorrecto: Emigré en Estados Unidos hace diez años.

A subtle mistake is the confusion between emigrar and migrar. While migrar is a general term for movement, emigrar is specific to leaving. In scientific contexts, migrar is often preferred for seasonal movements, but in human contexts, emigrar provides more specific information about the departure. Additionally, some learners try to use it as a transitive verb, like 'emigrar a alguien'. This is incorrect. You cannot 'emigrate someone'; they emigrate themselves or are 'deportados' (deported) or 'trasladados' (moved/transferred). It is an action the subject performs independently.

Spelling Errors: In English, 'emigrate' has one 'm'. In Spanish, 'emigrar' also has only one 'm'. Some learners mistakenly add a double 'm' (emmigrar) because they confuse it with the English 'immigrate'.

Correcto: Mi familia tuvo que emigrar (con una sola 'm') por razones políticas.

Finally, watch out for the reflexive usage. While some verbs of movement like 'irse' or 'marcharse' are reflexive, emigrar is not. You should not say 'Me emigré a Chile'. The correct form is simply 'Emigré a Chile'. Adding the 'me' is a common overcorrection by students who have recently learned reflexive verbs like 'mudarse' (to move house/self). Stick to the simple, non-reflexive form to sound like a native speaker.

Confusion with 'Viajar': Don't use 'emigrar' for tourism. If you are going to Italy for two weeks, you are 'viajando'. If you are going there to live forever, you are 'emigrando'.

No puedes decir que vas a emigrar si solo vas de vacaciones por una semana.

Es un error común decir 'me emigro'; lo correcto es 'emigro'.

While emigrar is the most precise word for leaving one's country, there are several synonyms and related terms that offer different shades of meaning. Understanding these can help you sound more sophisticated and precise in your Spanish. The most general term is migrar, which covers both coming and going. It is often used in academic or scientific contexts. Then there is inmigrar, which is the flip side of the coin, focusing on the arrival. If you are in your new country talking to your new neighbors, you would likely use inmigrar to describe your arrival there.

Emigrar vs. Mudarse: 'Mudarse' is used for changing houses or cities within the same country. 'Emigrar' is for changing countries. You 'te mudas' to a new apartment, but you 'emigras' to a new nation.

Mucha gente prefiere mudarse a la capital antes que emigrar al extranjero.

For situations involving forced departure, exiliarse (to go into exile) is a powerful alternative. This implies that the person is leaving due to political persecution or safety concerns and often cannot return. Another related term is desplazarse, which is often used for internally displaced persons (desplazados internos) who move within their own country due to conflict. If you want to describe the act of leaving in a more poetic or literary way, you might use partir (to depart/leave), though this doesn't specifically carry the meaning of settling permanently elsewhere like emigrar does.

Emigrar vs. Salir: 'Salir' simply means 'to go out' or 'to leave'. You can 'salir de casa', but 'emigrar' is a life-changing event involving a change of residence to another country.

El escritor tuvo que exiliarse debido a sus críticas al gobierno.

In a more informal or colloquial setting, people might use the phrase irse fuera (to go outside/abroad) or buscarse la vida (to make a living/find one's way) in another country. These phrases are very common in spoken Spanish when the speaker doesn't want to use the somewhat formal-sounding 'emigrar'. For example, 'Mi primo se fue fuera a trabajar' is a very natural way to say someone emigrated for work. Understanding these alternatives allows you to adjust your register depending on whether you are writing a formal essay or chatting with a friend over coffee.

Comparison Table: Emigrar: Focus on leaving a country.
Inmigrar: Focus on entering a country.
Migrar: General movement (birds/people).
Mudarse: Moving house.

A veces, migrar es la única opción para sobrevivir a una sequía extrema.

Decidió irse fuera para aprender inglés y ganar experiencia.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The root 'migr-' is found in many English words like 'migration', 'migrate', and even 'migrate' (in computing). It has remained remarkably consistent for over 2,000 years.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /e.miˈɡɾaɾ/

US /e.miˈɡɾaɾ/

The stress is on the final syllable: e-mi-GRAR.

Rhymes With

Hablar Cantar Viajar Llegar Llorar Soñar Amar Mirar

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'r' like the English 'r' (retroflex). It should be a quick tap of the tongue.
Putting the stress on the first or second syllable.
Adding an 's' at the beginning (semigrar) which is incorrect.
Making the 'e' sound like 'ee' (eemigrar).
Double 'm' sound (em-migrar) like in English.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize due to the English cognate 'emigrate'.

Writing 3/5

Requires correct conjugation and preposition use ('a' vs 'de').

Speaking 3/5

Need to master the tapped 'r' and the stress on the last syllable.

Listening 2/5

Clear sound, but can be confused with 'inmigrar' if the first vowel is swallowed.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

Ir País Vivir Viajar Mudar

Learn Next

Inmigrar Refugiado Ciudadanía Residencia Frontera

Advanced

Desarraigo Diáspora Expatriado Asilo Apatriado

Grammar to Know

Regular -ar verb conjugation

Yo emigro, tú emigras, él emigra...

Prepositions of movement (a/de)

Emigrar de España a México.

Infinitive after modal verbs

Quiero emigrar, debo emigrar.

Preterite vs Imperfect

Él emigró (one time) vs Él emigraba (process/habit).

Subjunctive for doubt/emotion

Espero que no tengas que emigrar.

Examples by Level

Yo quiero emigrar a otro país.

I want to emigrate to another country.

Uses 'querer' + infinitive 'emigrar'.

Mi abuela emigró de España.

My grandmother emigrated from Spain.

Preterite (past tense) third person singular.

Los pájaros emigran en invierno.

Birds emigrate in winter.

Present tense plural used for animals.

¿Tú quieres emigrar algún día?

Do you want to emigrate someday?

Interrogative sentence with 'querer'.

Ella no quiere emigrar sola.

She doesn't want to emigrate alone.

Negative sentence with 'querer' + infinitive.

Nosotros emigramos hace muchos años.

We emigrated many years ago.

Preterite first person plural.

Ellos emigran para buscar trabajo.

They emigrate to look for work.

Present tense plural + 'para' + infinitive.

Es difícil emigrar sin dinero.

It is difficult to emigrate without money.

Infinitive used as a subject after 'es difícil'.

Muchos jóvenes deciden emigrar por la economía.

Many young people decide to emigrate because of the economy.

Verb 'decidir' followed by infinitive.

Si no hay trabajo aquí, voy a emigrar.

If there is no work here, I am going to emigrate.

Future with 'ir a' + infinitive.

Él emigró a Argentina en 1990.

He emigrated to Argentina in 1990.

Specific date used with the preterite.

¿Por qué decidiste emigrar de tu país?

Why did you decide to emigrate from your country?

Preterite second person singular with 'por qué'.

No es fácil emigrar a una cultura diferente.

It's not easy to emigrate to a different culture.

Infinitive used after 'no es fácil'.

Mis tíos emigraron para dar una mejor vida a sus hijos.

My aunt and uncle emigrated to give a better life to their children.

Preterite plural + 'para' to show purpose.

Estamos pensando en emigrar el próximo año.

We are thinking about emigrating next year.

Present continuous 'estamos pensando' + 'en' + infinitive.

Ella emigró de su pueblo para ir a la capital.

She emigrated from her town to go to the capital.

Use of 'de' (origin) and 'para' (purpose).

Dudo que sea fácil emigrar a ese país ahora.

I doubt it's easy to emigrate to that country now.

Subjunctive 'sea' after 'dudo que'.

Si tuviera la oportunidad, emigraría a Canadá.

If I had the opportunity, I would emigrate to Canada.

Conditional 'emigraría' with 'si' + past subjunctive.

Es necesario que te informes antes de emigrar.

It is necessary that you inform yourself before emigrating.

Subjunctive 'te informes' + 'antes de' + infinitive.

Mucha gente ha tenido que emigrar por la violencia.

Many people have had to emigrate because of violence.

Present perfect 'ha tenido' + 'que' + infinitive.

Cuando emigres, extrañarás mucho la comida de aquí.

When you emigrate, you will miss the food from here a lot.

Future tense with 'cuando' + subjunctive.

Me gustaría emigrar, pero mi familia no quiere.

I would like to emigrate, but my family doesn't want to.

Conditional 'me gustaría' + infinitive.

Aunque es difícil, muchos deciden emigrar de todos modos.

Although it's difficult, many decide to emigrate anyway.

Concessive clause with 'aunque'.

Emigrar requiere mucha valentía y paciencia.

Emigrating requires a lot of courage and patience.

Infinitive as the subject of the sentence.

La crisis económica obligó a miles de personas a emigrar.

The economic crisis forced thousands of people to emigrate.

Verb 'obligar a' + infinitive.

Se estima que el flujo de personas que quieren emigrar aumentará.

It is estimated that the flow of people wanting to emigrate will increase.

Passive 'se estima' and future 'aumentará'.

Muchos científicos emigran buscando mejores laboratorios.

Many scientists emigrate looking for better laboratories.

Present tense with gerund 'buscando'.

A pesar de los riesgos, continúan emigrando por mar.

Despite the risks, they continue emigrating by sea.

Gerund 'emigrando' after 'continúan'.

Es fundamental analizar las causas por las cuales la gente decide emigrar.

It is fundamental to analyze the causes for which people decide to emigrate.

Relative clause 'por las cuales'.

Nadie debería ser forzado a emigrar de su propia tierra.

Nobody should be forced to emigrate from their own land.

Passive voice 'ser forzado'.

Emigrar no solo significa cambiar de país, sino de vida entera.

Emigrating doesn't only mean changing countries, but your entire life.

Correlative conjunction 'no solo... sino'.

Si no hubieran emigrado, no habrían conocido a sus parejas.

If they hadn't emigrated, they wouldn't have met their partners.

Third conditional (si + pluperfect subjunctive + conditional perfect).

El fenómeno de emigrar se ha intensificado debido a la globalización.

The phenomenon of emigrating has intensified due to globalization.

Noun phrase 'el fenómeno de emigrar' with present perfect.

Muchos intelectuales se vieron abocados a emigrar durante la dictadura.

Many intellectuals were compelled to emigrate during the dictatorship.

Passive construction 'se vieron abocados a'.

El derecho a emigrar está contemplado en diversos tratados internacionales.

The right to emigrate is contemplated in various international treaties.

Legalistic terminology and passive 'está contemplado'.

No es de extrañar que los jóvenes más cualificados opten por emigrar.

It's no surprise that the most qualified young people opt to emigrate.

Subjunctive 'opten' after 'no es de extrañar que'.

Emigrar supone un reto psicológico que a menudo se subestima.

Emigrating involves a psychological challenge that is often underestimated.

Verb 'suponer' meaning 'to involve/imply'.

La decisión de emigrar suele ser el resultado de un largo proceso de reflexión.

The decision to emigrate is usually the result of a long process of reflection.

Noun 'decisión' followed by 'de' + infinitive.

Tras emigrar, muchos se enfrentan a la barrera del idioma.

After emigrating, many face the language barrier.

Preposition 'tras' followed by infinitive.

Sea cual sea el motivo para emigrar, el desarraigo es inevitable.

Whatever the reason for emigrating, uprooting is inevitable.

Subjunctive expression 'sea cual sea'.

La literatura del siglo XX está impregnada del dolor de tener que emigrar.

20th-century literature is permeated with the pain of having to emigrate.

Advanced participle 'impregnada' with 'de' + infinitive phrase.

Acaso emigrar sea la única forma de encontrarse a uno mismo en la otredad.

Perhaps emigrating is the only way to find oneself in 'otherness'.

Adverb 'acaso' triggering the subjunctive 'sea'.

El acto de emigrar trasciende la mera movilidad geográfica; es una metamorfosis.

The act of emigrating transcends mere geographical mobility; it is a metamorphosis.

Philosophical use of 'trascender'.

Pese a las políticas restrictivas, el impulso de emigrar persiste como una constante humana.

Despite restrictive policies, the impulse to emigrate persists as a human constant.

Prepositional phrase 'pese a' and 'persiste'.

Emigrar implica despojarse de una identidad para revestirse de otra, a menudo híbrida.

Emigrating implies shedding one identity to clothe oneself in another, often hybrid.

Reflexive infinitives 'despojarse' and 'revestirse'.

La diáspora resultante de emigrar masivamente altera el tejido social de las naciones.

The diaspora resulting from mass emigration alters the social fabric of nations.

Complex noun phrase as subject.

Quien decide emigrar, lo hace cargando con el peso de su historia personal.

He who decides to emigrate does so carrying the weight of his personal history.

Relative clause 'quien decide' and gerund 'cargando'.

Bajo la pátina del éxito, el que tuvo que emigrar suele ocultar una profunda melancolía.

Under the patina of success, he who had to emigrate usually hides a deep melancholy.

Metaphorical use of 'pátina' and 'ocultar'.

Common Collocations

Emigrar al extranjero

Emigrar en busca de

Decidir emigrar

Emigrar legalmente

Emigrar forzosamente

Ganas de emigrar

Emigrar por trabajo

Emigrar de joven

Emigrar en masa

Emigrar a la ciudad

Common Phrases

Emigrar para prosperar

— To leave one's country with the specific goal of achieving financial or personal success.

Él cree que debe emigrar para prosperar en su carrera.

Emigrar con lo puesto

— To emigrate with only the clothes on one's back, implying extreme poverty or haste.

Tuvieron que emigrar con lo puesto debido al incendio.

Emigrar por amor

— To move to another country to be with a romantic partner.

Ella decidió emigrar por amor y se mudó a Francia.

Emigrar a lo desconocido

— To move to a place where one knows nothing and has no connections.

Emigrar a lo desconocido da mucho miedo al principio.

Emigrar de forma clandestina

— To emigrate illegally or in secret.

Muchos arriesgan sus vidas al emigrar de forma clandestina.

Emigrar por estudios

— To leave one's country to attend a university or school abroad.

Mi hermana va a emigrar por estudios el próximo semestre.

Emigrar definitivamente

— To leave one's country with no intention of ever returning.

Vendió su casa porque planea emigrar definitivamente.

Emigrar en familia

— To move to another country along with one's spouse and children.

Es más seguro emigrar en familia que solo.

Emigrar por necesidad

— To leave because staying in the home country is no longer viable.

Nadie quiere dejar su casa, pero muchos deben emigrar por necesidad.

Emigrar hacia el norte

— A common phrase in Latin America referring to moving to the USA or Canada.

El sueño de muchos es emigrar hacia el norte.

Often Confused With

emigrar vs Inmigrar

Focuses on entering a country. Emigrar focuses on leaving.

emigrar vs Migrar

A general term. Emigrar is specific to human departure from a homeland.

emigrar vs Mudarse

Used for moving house or city, not necessarily changing countries.

Idioms & Expressions

"Hacer las maletas"

— Literally 'to pack bags', but often used idiomatically to mean preparing to emigrate or leave forever.

Si las cosas no mejoran, haré las maletas y emigraré.

Informal

"Quemar las naves"

— To burn one's boats/ships, meaning to commit to a new path (like emigrating) so that there is no turning back.

Al emigrar, quemó las naves y vendió todas sus propiedades.

Literary

"Buscar nuevos horizontes"

— To look for new horizons, a common way to describe the motivation for emigrating.

Decidió emigrar para buscar nuevos horizontes en Asia.

Neutral

"Echar raíces"

— To take root, used to describe the opposite of emigrating, or what happens after you emigrate and settle.

Tras emigrar a México, echó raíces y formó una familia.

Neutral

"Poner tierra de por medio"

— To put distance between oneself and a problem/place, often by emigrating.

Después de la ruptura, decidió emigrar y poner tierra de por medio.

Informal

"Empezar de cero"

— To start from scratch, the reality for most people who emigrate.

Emigrar a otro país significa empezar de cero en muchos sentidos.

Informal

"Cruzarse de brazos"

— To sit idly by. Often used in the context of why someone chose to emigrate instead of staying.

No podía quedarse de brazos cruzados, así que decidió emigrar.

Informal

"Volar del nido"

— To fly the nest. Can be used for a young person emigrating for the first time.

Es hora de que emigre y vuele del nido.

Informal

"Abrirse camino"

— To make one's way or forge a path in a new place.

Emigró a Nueva York para abrirse camino en el mundo del arte.

Neutral

"Cambiar de aires"

— To have a change of scenery, a lighter way to describe the desire to emigrate.

Necesitaba cambiar de aires, por eso decidió emigrar a la montaña.

Informal

Easily Confused

emigrar vs Migrar

Both involve moving.

Migrar is the umbrella term. Emigrar is the specific act of leaving. Migrar is also more common for animals.

Las aves migran (general); la gente emigra de su país (specific exit).

emigrar vs Inmigrar

They sound very similar.

Perspective. Use 'emigrar' if you are the one leaving. Use 'inmigrar' if you are the one arriving.

Emigré de España e inmigré en Estados Unidos.

emigrar vs Mudar

Both mean 'to move'.

Mudar is for changing things (clothes, skin, house). Mudarse is specifically for changing residence. Emigrar is for changing countries.

Me mudo de piso, pero no quiero emigrar de mi país.

emigrar vs Partir

Both involve leaving.

Partir just means to depart. You can partir for a vacation. Emigrar is for a permanent change of life.

Partió ayer de vacaciones; su hermano emigró para siempre.

emigrar vs Exiliarse

Both involve leaving a country.

Exiliarse implies force or political necessity. Emigrar can be voluntary (for work or study).

Muchos emigran por dinero, otros se exilian por política.

Sentence Patterns

[Subject] + emigrar.

Ellos emigran.

[Subject] + quiere + emigrar + a + [País].

Juan quiere emigrar a Italia.

Si + [Past Subjunctive], + [Conditional].

Si tuviera dinero, emigraría.

[Subject] + se vio obligado a + emigrar.

La familia se vio obligada a emigrar.

El hecho de + emigrar + [Verb].

El hecho de emigrar cambió su vida.

[Gerund Phrase], + [Subject] + [Verb].

Habiendo decidido emigrar, partió al alba.

[Subject] + emigró + por + [Reason].

Ella emigró por la falta de trabajo.

Es + [Adjective] + que + [Subjunctive].

Es triste que deban emigrar.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

High, especially in news and historical contexts.

Common Mistakes

Using 'emigrar' for moving within a country. → Mudarse
'Emigrar' implies leaving one's country. For moving between cities like Madrid to Barcelona, use 'mudarse'.
Saying 'Me emigré'. → Emigré
'Emigrar' is not reflexive. You don't 'emigrate yourself'; you just 'emigrate'.
Confusing 'emigrar' with 'inmigrar'. → Use 'emigrar' for leaving.
Many students use them interchangeably, but they represent opposite perspectives of the same journey.
Spelling it 'emmigrar'. → Emigrar
In Spanish, 'emigrar' only has one 'm'. The double 'm' is a common spelling error influenced by English.
Using 'en' for destination. → Emigrar a [País]
Verbs of movement in Spanish almost always take 'a' to indicate destination, not 'en'.

Tips

The Exit Rule

Remember: **E**migrar = **E**xit. **I**nmigrar = **I**n. This simple letter association will help you never confuse the two words again.

Preposition Power

Always pair 'emigrar' with 'de' for your home country and 'a' for your new country. 'Emigré **de** Colombia **a** España'.

Don't Overuse It

If you are just moving to a different city in the same country, use 'mudarse'. Save 'emigrar' for when you cross international borders.

Stress the End

The accent is on the last syllable: e-mi-GRAR. Practice saying it out loud while tapping your hand on the table for the last syllable.

Understand the Emotion

In Spanish, 'emigrar' often carries a sense of sacrifice. Using it shows you understand the weight of leaving one's family and culture behind.

Use with 'Para'

When writing about goals, 'emigrar para...' followed by an infinitive is a very natural structure. 'Emigró para encontrar paz'.

Watch for the 'E'

Native speakers might say it quickly. Listen for that initial 'e' sound clearly to distinguish it from 'migrar' or 'inmigrar'.

Family Stories

This is a great verb to use when practicing the preterite tense. Tell a story about an ancestor: 'Mi bisabuelo emigró en 1920'.

Scientific Use

If you are talking about birds or animals, 'emigrar' is perfectly fine, but 'migrar' is more common in biology textbooks.

Formal vs. Informal

In a job interview, use 'emigrar'. With friends, you can say 'irme a vivir fuera' or 'irme al extranjero'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of the 'E' in 'Emigrar' as 'Exit'. You are exiting your country. 'I' in 'Inmigrar' is for 'In' (entering a country).

Visual Association

Visualize a person walking through a door marked 'EXIT' with a giant suitcase and a passport in their hand.

Word Web

País Maleta Pasaporte Frontera Trabajo Familia Adiós Futuro

Challenge

Try to write three sentences about a famous person you know who had to emigrar to become successful.

Word Origin

From the Latin verb 'emigrare', which is composed of the prefix 'e-' (out of) and 'migrare' (to move/depart).

Original meaning: To move out of a place or to depart from one's home.

Romance (Latin-derived)

Cultural Context

Be sensitive when discussing emigration, as it is often a result of trauma, war, or extreme poverty. It is not always a happy choice.

In English-speaking countries, 'emigrate' is often used less frequently than 'immigrate' because these countries are often destinations rather than points of departure.

The song 'Visa para un sueño' by Juan Luis Guerra. The book 'The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao' (deals with Dominican emigration). The movie 'Un Cuento Chino' (deals with Chinese emigration to Argentina).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Family History

Mi abuelo emigró de...
Tuvieron que emigrar después de la guerra.
Nuestra familia tiene una historia de emigrar.
¿Cuándo decidieron emigrar?

Career Plans

Pienso emigrar para buscar trabajo.
Hay mejores sueldos si decides emigrar.
Muchos ingenieros están emigrando.
¿Emigrarías por un ascenso?

News/Politics

El flujo de personas que emigran...
Las leyes para emigrar son estrictas.
Causas para emigrar de la región.
Derecho humano a emigrar.

Nature/Biology

Las aves emigran al sur.
Especies que emigran por el clima.
¿Por qué emigran las mariposas?
Temporada para emigrar.

Personal Desires

Siempre he querido emigrar.
Me da miedo emigrar solo.
¿Vale la pena emigrar?
No quiero emigrar nunca.

Conversation Starters

"¿Alguna vez has pensado en emigrar a otro país de forma permanente?"

"Si tuvieras que emigrar mañana, ¿qué tres cosas te llevarías en tu maleta?"

"¿Crees que es más difícil emigrar ahora que hace cincuenta años?"

"¿Qué país elegirías si decidieras emigrar para trabajar en tecnología?"

"¿Conoces a alguien en tu familia que haya tenido que emigrar por necesidad?"

Journal Prompts

Escribe sobre las razones por las que una persona podría decidir emigrar de su país natal hoy en día.

Imagina que vas a emigrar a Marte. ¿Cómo te sentirías al dejar la Tierra para siempre?

Describe los sentimientos de alguien que acaba de emigrar y no conoce a nadie en su nuevo país.

¿Cuáles son las ventajas y desventajas de emigrar a un país con un idioma diferente?

Investiga la historia de alguien famoso que tuvo que emigrar y escribe un resumen de su vida.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

La diferencia es la perspectiva. 'Emigrar' se usa desde el punto de vista del país que se deja (salida), mientras que 'inmigrar' se usa desde el punto de vista del país al que se llega (entrada). Por ejemplo, si sales de México, estás emigrando de México. Si llegas a España, estás inmigrando a España.

Sí, es correcto. Se usa a menudo para describir el movimiento estacional de aves, peces o mamíferos. Por ejemplo: 'Las golondrinas emigran hacia climas más cálidos'. Sin embargo, en contextos científicos, a veces se prefiere el término más general 'migrar'.

Sí, 'emigrar' es un verbo regular terminado en -ar. Sigue el mismo patrón que verbos como 'hablar' o 'cantar' en todos los tiempos y personas. Esto lo hace relativamente fácil de conjugar para los estudiantes de español.

Las preposiciones más comunes son 'de' (para el origen) y 'a' o 'hacia' (para el destino). También se usa 'por' para indicar el motivo (emigrar por trabajo) y 'para' para indicar la finalidad (emigrar para estudiar).

No, 'emigrar' no es un verbo reflexivo en español estándar. Lo correcto es decir 'yo emigro', 'él emigró', etc. No se debe añadir el pronombre reflexivo 'me', 'te', 'se', a menos que se use en un contexto muy específico y poco común.

El sustantivo principal es 'emigración' (el acto de emigrar). También existen 'emigrante' (la persona que realiza la acción) y 'emigrado' (la persona que ya se ha establecido en el nuevo país).

'Exiliarse' se usa específicamente cuando la salida del país es forzada por motivos políticos, ideológicos o de seguridad. 'Emigrar' es un término más amplio que incluye motivos económicos, personales o profesionales.

En español se escribe con una sola 'm': 'emigrar'. Es un error común para los hablantes de inglés escribirlo con dos 'm' debido a la palabra 'immigrate', pero en español 'inmigrar' tiene dos y 'emigrar' solo una.

Sí, es muy común. España tiene una larga historia de emigración (hacia América en el pasado y hacia Europa en tiempos más recientes), por lo que la palabra aparece frecuentemente en conversaciones, noticias y literatura.

Es una frase muy común en América Latina que se refiere específicamente a la acción de mudarse a los Estados Unidos o Canadá en busca de mejores oportunidades. Tiene una carga cultural y social muy fuerte en la región.