A2 noun #800 most common 10 min read

sale

At the A1 level, 'sale' is introduced as a basic action verb. Students learn it primarily in the context of daily routines and physical movement. You will use it to say things like 'He leaves the house' (Él sale de casa) or 'The sun comes out' (El sol sale). The focus is on the literal meaning of exiting a space. Learners are taught to pair it with the preposition 'de' to indicate where someone is leaving from. It is one of the first irregular verbs students encounter because of its 'yo' form (salgo), though 'sale' itself follows a regular pattern for the third person. At this stage, the goal is simply to understand that 'sale' means 'leaves' or 'goes out'.
In A2, the use of 'sale' expands to include social life and basic transportation. You will learn to use 'sale con' to describe dating or hanging out with friends. You will also use it to understand travel schedules, such as when a bus or train departs. The concept of 'sale' meaning 'to turn out' (as in a result) begins to appear in simple contexts, like 'la comida sale rica' (the food turns out delicious). Learners also start to distinguish between 'salir' and 'irse', understanding that 'sale' is more about the point of exit. This level solidifies the grammatical structure of the verb in the present tense.
At the B1 level, 'sale' starts appearing in more idiomatic and figurative expressions. You will encounter phrases like 'sale a cuenta' (it's worth it) or 'sale ganando' (he comes out ahead). The reflexive form 'se sale' is introduced to describe things overflowing or someone excelling at something ('te sales'). Learners are expected to use 'sale' in various tenses, including the past (salió) and the future (saldrá), and understand its use in the subjunctive (que salga). The word becomes a tool for describing outcomes, costs, and more complex social dynamics beyond just 'leaving a room'.
By B2, 'sale' is used fluently in professional and abstract contexts. You will hear it in business settings to describe product launches ('el producto sale al mercado') or financial results. It is used to describe how someone 'comes across' in a certain situation ('sale bien parado'). The nuances between 'salir', 'emerger', and 'surgir' are explored. You will also understand more complex idioms like 'salir por los cerros de Úbeda' (to go off on a tangent). At this level, 'sale' is no longer just a verb of movement but a versatile verb of result, appearance, and social positioning.
In C1, the learner masters the most subtle and literary uses of 'sale'. This includes using 'sale' to describe a character's emergence in a play or novel, or the way a specific quality 'comes out' in someone's personality under pressure. You will understand high-level idioms like 'salir rana' (to turn out to be a disappointment) or 'salir a relucir' (to come to light/be mentioned). The word is used to discuss complex philosophical or scientific results. The distinction between 'sale' and its more formal synonyms like 'egresa' (graduates/exits) or 'emana' (emanates) is clear and used appropriately in writing.
At the C2 level, 'sale' is used with native-like precision across all registers. This includes archaic or highly specialized legal and technical contexts where 'sale' might describe the resolution of a case or the output of a complex system. The speaker can play with the word's multiple meanings for rhetorical effect, puns, or sophisticated irony. You understand the historical evolution of the word from Latin 'salire' (to jump) and how that sense of 'jumping out' still informs its modern usage. There is no confusion between any of its literal, figurative, or idiomatic applications, and it is used seamlessly in complex sentence structures.

sale in 30 Seconds

  • Means 'he/she/it leaves' or 'goes out'.
  • Used for physical exits and social dating.
  • Describes the sun rising (el sol sale).
  • Indicates results (todo sale bien).

The word sale is a cornerstone of the Spanish language, primarily functioning as the third-person singular present indicative form of the verb salir. While an English speaker might initially mistake it for a retail discount or a noun related to commerce, in Spanish, it is a dynamic verb form meaning 'he leaves', 'she leaves', 'it leaves', or 'you (formal) leave'. Its utility is vast, covering physical movement, social interactions, and even astronomical events. At its most basic level, sale describes the act of exiting a confined space. For instance, when someone walks out of a room, a building, or a vehicle, we use this word to denote that transition from inside to outside. However, the linguistic reach of sale extends far beyond simple physical displacement. It is the standard way to describe the sun rising or 'coming out' in the morning, as well as the moon or stars appearing in the night sky. This sense of 'emerging' or 'becoming visible' is a key conceptual layer of the word.

Physical Departure
Used when a person or object moves from an interior space to an exterior one, such as leaving a house or an office.
Social Context
Commonly used to describe going out for entertainment, dating, or spending time with friends in a social setting.
Natural Phenomena
Refers to the appearance of celestial bodies like the sun (el sol sale) or the moon in the sky.

In social contexts, sale is frequently used to discuss dating or hanging out. If someone asks, '¿Con quién sale ella?', they are inquiring about who she is dating. It implies a recurring social engagement rather than a one-time exit. Furthermore, the word is used in functional contexts, such as when a product 'comes out' on the market or when a specific result 'comes out' of a process. For example, if a photo turns out well, a Spanish speaker might say 'la foto sale bien'. This versatility makes it one of the most frequently used verbs in daily conversation, appearing in everything from weather reports to gossip and logistical planning. Understanding the nuances of sale requires recognizing that it is not just about the act of leaving, but also about the act of appearing, resulting, or engaging with the world outside of a starting point.

El sol sale cada mañana por el este.

Ella sale de la oficina a las cinco de la tarde.

Mi hermano sale con sus amigos todos los viernes.

El tren sale del andén número cuatro.

Esta mancha no sale de la camisa con jabón.

Using sale correctly involves understanding its grammatical role as a conjugated verb and the prepositions that typically follow it. As the 3rd person singular of salir, it agrees with subjects like él (he), ella (she), usted (you formal), or any singular noun like el perro (the dog) or el avión (the plane). One of the most common patterns is sale + de + [place]. This construction indicates the point of origin or the place being exited. For example, 'El gato sale de la caja' (The cat leaves the box). Without the 'de', the sentence would feel incomplete in most physical contexts. Another essential pattern is sale + con + [person], which is the standard way to express social accompaniment or romantic involvement. 'Él sale con María' can mean they are going out together tonight or that they are in a relationship. This ambiguity is usually resolved by the surrounding context of the conversation.

Origin and Exit
Structure: [Subject] + sale + de + [Location]. Example: 'El agua sale del grifo' (The water comes out of the tap).
Destination and Purpose
Structure: [Subject] + sale + a + [Infinitive/Noun]. Example: 'Ella sale a correr' (She goes out to run).
Resultative Use
Structure: [Subject] + sale + [Adjective]. Example: 'El plan sale perfecto' (The plan turns out perfect).

In more advanced usage, sale can be used to describe the cost of something in a colloquial way, though cuesta is more common. For example, 'La cena sale por veinte euros' (The dinner comes out to twenty euros). It also appears in idiomatic expressions like 'sale a cuenta', meaning something is worth the effort or cost-effective. When talking about media, 'sale' describes when a movie or book is released: 'La película sale mañana'. This mirrors the English 'comes out'. It is also vital to distinguish sale from its reflexive counterpart se sale. While sale is a standard exit, se sale often implies an accidental or forceful exit, like water overflowing from a glass ('el agua se sale del vaso') or someone 'stepping out' of a boundary. Mastering these patterns allows a learner to move from simple sentences to complex descriptions of events and results.

Juan sale a caminar todas las tardes por el parque.

¿A qué hora sale el próximo vuelo para Madrid?

Si sumas dos y dos, el resultado sale cuatro.

In the real world, you will encounter sale in a multitude of everyday scenarios. If you are standing in a busy Spanish train station like Atocha in Madrid, you will constantly hear announcements about when the next AVE train sale. The word is synonymous with schedules and logistics in the travel industry. Similarly, at an airport, the screens displaying departures are essentially tracking when each flight sale. Beyond the world of travel, you will hear this word in every household. Parents might ask their children, '¿A qué hora sale tu hermano de la escuela?' (What time does your brother leave school?). It is a fundamental part of coordinating daily life and understanding the movements of family and friends. In the workplace, colleagues might discuss when a project or a new product sale to the public, using it to mark deadlines and releases.

Social media and entertainment are other rich sources for hearing sale. Influencers might talk about when their next video sale (comes out), or fans might speculate about who a celebrity sale con (is dating). In the kitchen, you'll hear it when checking on food: 'La pizza ya sale del horno' (The pizza is coming out of the oven now). It’s also common in weather forecasts; meteorologists will tell you exactly what time the sun sale in different regions. Even in the world of fashion and retail, while 'sale' doesn't mean a discount, you might hear that a new collection sale next week. In colloquial speech, especially in Spain, you might hear '¡Te sales!' as a compliment, meaning 'You're amazing!' or 'You're outdoing yourself!', which is a figurative extension of the word's core meaning of 'exceeding' or 'going beyond'.

At the station: "El tren con destino a Barcelona sale en diez minutos."

In a restaurant: "El camarero sale de la cocina con los platos calientes."

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with sale is treating it as a 'false friend'. Because it looks exactly like the English word for a retail discount, learners often try to use it in sentences like 'Hay una sale en la tienda', which is incorrect. In Spanish, a retail sale is una rebaja or una oferta. Another common error involves the confusion between salir (to leave/exit) and dejar (to leave something behind). If you want to say 'He leaves the keys on the table', you cannot use sale; you must use deja. Sale always refers to the subject moving out of a place, not the act of placing an object somewhere and walking away. Using sale in the wrong context can lead to confusion, such as implying that the keys themselves are walking out of the house.

False Friend Confusion
Mistake: Using 'sale' for a discount. Correct: Use 'rebaja' or 'liquidación'.
Salir vs. Dejar
Mistake: 'Él sale el libro en la mesa'. Correct: 'Él deja el libro en la mesa'. 'Sale' is for people/things exiting.
Preposition Omission
Mistake: 'Él sale la casa'. Correct: 'Él sale de la casa'. The 'de' is mandatory for physical exits.

Additionally, learners often forget the irregular 'yo' form of the verb. While sale is regular for the 3rd person, the 1st person is salgo, not 'salo'. This can lead to a breakdown in conjugation patterns if the learner assumes the entire verb is regular. There is also a subtle difference between salir and irse. Sale focuses on the act of exiting a specific point ('He leaves the room'), while se va (from irse) focuses on the act of going away or departing entirely ('He is leaving now'). Finally, be careful with the phrase 'sale a'. While it can mean 'goes out to [do something]', if you use it with prices, it means 'it comes out to' or 'it costs', which can be confusing if you aren't expecting a financial context.

Incorrect: "La tienda tiene una sale grande."
Correct: "La tienda tiene una rebaja grande."

Spanish offers several alternatives to sale, each with its own specific nuance. The most common synonym is se va (from the verb irse). While sale emphasizes the exit from a specific place, se va emphasizes the departure from the current location toward a destination. Another alternative is parte (from partir), which is more formal and often used for the departure of ships, trains, or people on a long journey. If you are talking about someone leaving a job or a position, you might use renuncia or se retira. For the specific action of 'emerging' or 'appearing', words like aparece or asoma can be used. Asoma is particularly descriptive, meaning to peek out or start to show, like the sun peeking over the horizon.

Sale vs. Se va
'Sale' focuses on the door/exit. 'Se va' focuses on the act of leaving the speaker's vicinity.
Sale vs. Parte
'Parte' is more formal and often implies a significant journey or start of a trip.
Sale vs. Emerge
'Emerge' is more academic or dramatic, used for things rising out of water or coming out of obscurity.

In the context of dating, you might hear anda con or está saliendo con. While sale con is very common, anda con is more colloquial and sometimes implies a less serious relationship. When talking about results, resulta is a direct alternative to sale. For example, 'El experimento sale bien' can be replaced with 'El experimento resulta bien'. If something 'comes out' in the sense of being published, se publica or se estrena (for movies/shows) are more precise terms. Understanding these synonyms allows you to choose the word that best fits the formality and specific action you wish to describe, making your Spanish sound more natural and sophisticated.

Comparison: "Él sale de la habitación" (He exits) vs. "Él se va de la ciudad" (He leaves the city).

How Formal Is It?

Formal

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Neutral

""

Informal

""

Child friendly

""

Slang

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Fun Fact

The original Latin meaning of 'jumping' is still visible in the English word 'salient' (standing out) and 'resilient' (jumping back).

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈsa.le/
US /ˈsɑ.leɪ/
The stress is on the first syllable: SA-le.
Rhymes With
vale dale cale jale male pale talle calle
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing it like the English word 'sale' (seyl).
  • Adding a 'y' sound at the end (sal-ey).
  • Making the 's' sound like a 'z'.
  • Pronouncing the 'a' like the 'a' in 'cat'.
  • Stress on the second syllable (sa-LE).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Very easy to recognize in text, though can be confused with English 'sale'.

Writing 2/5

Requires remembering the 'de' or 'con' prepositions.

Speaking 2/5

Easy to pronounce, but must avoid the English 'ay' sound at the end.

Listening 1/5

Very common and clear in spoken Spanish.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

ir venir casa sol con

Learn Next

entrar llegar quedarse dejar partir

Advanced

surgir emerger asomar provenir derivar

Grammar to Know

Irregular 'yo' form in present tense

Yo salgo (I leave) vs Él sale (He leaves).

Preposition 'de' for origin

Sale de la oficina.

Preposition 'con' for company

Sale con su hermana.

Reflexive 'se' for overflowing

La sopa se sale de la olla.

Future tense stem change

Saldrá (He will leave) - adds a 'd'.

Examples by Level

1

Él sale de la casa a las ocho.

He leaves the house at eight.

Uses 'sale de' to show the point of exit.

2

El sol sale por la mañana.

The sun comes out in the morning.

'Sale' describes the appearance of the sun.

3

Ella sale del coche.

She gets out of the car.

Standard use for exiting a vehicle.

4

Mi amigo sale de la escuela.

My friend leaves school.

Present tense 3rd person singular.

5

El gato sale de debajo de la cama.

The cat comes out from under the bed.

Indicates movement from a hidden space.

6

Juan sale a la calle.

Juan goes out to the street.

Uses 'a' to show the destination.

7

La profesora sale del aula.

The teacher leaves the classroom.

Formal 3rd person singular.

8

El humo sale de la chimenea.

Smoke comes out of the chimney.

Used for inanimate objects moving out.

1

Ella sale con sus amigos los sábados.

She goes out with her friends on Saturdays.

'Sale con' implies social activity.

2

El tren sale a las diez en punto.

The train leaves at ten o'clock sharp.

Used for transportation schedules.

3

Mi hermano sale con una chica de su clase.

My brother is dating a girl from his class.

'Sale con' here means dating.

4

La tarta sale muy rica si sigues la receta.

The cake turns out very tasty if you follow the recipe.

'Sale' describes the result of a process.

5

¿A qué hora sale el autobús para el centro?

What time does the bus for the center leave?

Interrogative use for logistics.

6

El perro sale a correr al parque.

The dog goes out to run in the park.

'Sale a' + infinitive shows purpose.

7

Esta foto no sale bien porque hay poca luz.

This photo doesn't turn out well because there is little light.

Used for the quality of a result.

8

Él sale de viaje mañana por la mañana.

He is leaving on a trip tomorrow morning.

'Sale de viaje' is a common expression for departing.

1

Comprar este coche no me sale a cuenta.

Buying this car isn't worth it for me.

Idiom: 'salir a cuenta' means to be worth it.

2

Si trabajas duro, todo sale bien al final.

If you work hard, everything turns out well in the end.

Abstract use for outcomes.

3

La mancha no sale de la alfombra.

The stain won't come out of the carpet.

Used for removal of something.

4

El agua se sale de la bañera.

The water is overflowing from the bathtub.

Reflexive 'se sale' implies overflowing.

5

Este actor sale en muchas películas famosas.

This actor appears in many famous movies.

'Sale en' means to appear in media.

6

La cena sale por cincuenta euros.

The dinner comes out to fifty euros.

Colloquial use for cost/total.

7

Ella siempre sale ganando en las discusiones.

She always comes out winning in arguments.

Idiom: 'salir ganando' means to benefit.

8

El sol sale a las seis y media en verano.

The sun rises at six-thirty in summer.

Precise use for natural events.

1

El nuevo modelo de teléfono sale al mercado el próximo mes.

The new phone model comes out on the market next month.

Professional use for product launches.

2

A pesar de los problemas, él salió bien parado.

Despite the problems, he came out of it well.

Idiom: 'salir bien parado' means to survive a situation well.

3

No me sale la palabra que quiero decir.

The word I want to say isn't coming to me.

Used for mental blocks or speech.

4

La jugada le salió el tiro por la culata.

The move backfired on him.

Idiom: 'salir el tiro por la culata' means to backfire.

5

El escándalo sale a la luz pública hoy.

The scandal comes to light today.

Idiom: 'salir a la luz' means to be revealed.

6

Este proyecto nos sale muy caro en tiempo.

This project is costing us a lot in terms of time.

Figurative use for cost/effort.

7

Ella se sale con la suya siempre.

She always gets her way.

Idiom: 'salirse con la suya' means to get one's way.

8

El río se sale de su cauce por las lluvias.

The river is overflowing its banks due to the rains.

Reflexive use for natural disasters.

1

En la reunión, salió a relucir su falta de experiencia.

In the meeting, his lack of experience came to light.

Idiom: 'salir a relucir' means to become evident.

2

El negocio nos salió rana y perdimos dinero.

The business turned out to be a failure and we lost money.

Idiom: 'salir rana' means to turn out badly/disappointing.

3

Sale a subasta una obra inédita de Picasso.

An unpublished work by Picasso is going up for auction.

Formal use for commercial processes.

4

Su vena artística sale en los momentos más inesperados.

His artistic streak comes out in the most unexpected moments.

Metaphorical use for personality traits.

5

El presidente sale al paso de las críticas.

The president steps up to address the criticisms.

Idiom: 'salir al paso' means to confront or address.

6

La noticia sale en portada en todos los diarios.

The news appears on the front page of all the newspapers.

Specific use for media placement.

7

Si no tienes cuidado, te sales del tema principal.

If you aren't careful, you'll go off the main topic.

Reflexive use for losing focus.

8

El niño sale a su abuelo en el carácter.

The boy takes after his grandfather in character.

Idiom: 'salir a [alguien]' means to resemble someone.

1

La propuesta sale adelante gracias al consenso general.

The proposal moves forward thanks to general consensus.

Idiom: 'salir adelante' means to succeed or progress.

2

No sale de su asombro ante tal descubrimiento.

He cannot get over his astonishment at such a discovery.

Idiom: 'no salir de su asombro' means to be stunned.

3

El reo sale en libertad bajo fianza.

The prisoner is released on bail.

Legal terminology.

4

La verdad sale a flote tarde o temprano.

The truth comes to the surface sooner or later.

Idiom: 'salir a flote' means to surface or become known.

5

El autor sale de su retiro para publicar sus memorias.

The author comes out of retirement to publish his memoirs.

Sophisticated use of 'salir de'.

6

La mancha sale con un disolvente específico.

The stain comes out with a specific solvent.

Technical/Practical application.

7

Su discurso sale de lo común por su originalidad.

His speech is out of the ordinary due to its originality.

Idiom: 'salir de lo común' means to be extraordinary.

8

El tiro le salió por la culata al intentar engañarnos.

His attempt to deceive us backfired completely.

Perfect use of a complex idiom.

Common Collocations

sale de casa
sale con amigos
el sol sale
sale bien
sale mal
sale a correr
sale a la luz
sale de viaje
sale a cuenta
sale del horno

Common Phrases

Sale a las...

¿Con quién sale?

Sale de la nada

Sale a caminar

Sale de compras

Sale en la tele

Sale por la puerta

Sale disparado

Sale a recibir

Sale a bailar

Often Confused With

sale vs sale (English)

English 'sale' means discount; Spanish 'sale' is a verb meaning 'leaves'.

sale vs deja

'Deja' means to leave an object behind; 'sale' means a person exits a place.

sale vs sal

'Sal' is the noun for 'salt' or the command 'Get out!'; 'sale' is the 3rd person verb.

Idioms & Expressions

"Salir a pedir de boca"

To turn out perfectly or exactly as desired.

La fiesta salió a pedir de boca.

informal

"Salir el tiro por la culata"

To backfire; to have the opposite effect of what was intended.

Su broma le salió el tiro por la culata.

colloquial

"Salirse con la suya"

To get one's own way despite opposition.

Ella siempre se sale con la suya.

neutral

"Salir rana"

To turn out to be a disappointment or a failure.

El coche nuevo me salió rana.

informal (Spain)

"Salir de Guatemala para entrar en Guatepeor"

To go from a bad situation to a worse one.

Cambié de trabajo y me salió de Guatemala para entrar en Guatepeor.

colloquial

"Salir por pies"

To run away quickly, usually out of fear.

Cuando vio al perro, salió por pies.

informal

"Salir de sus casillas"

To lose one's temper or patience.

Ese ruido me sale de mis casillas.

neutral

"Salir a relucir"

To come to light or become apparent during a conversation.

Sus secretos salieron a relucir.

neutral

"Salir del paso"

To get by or manage a difficult situation temporarily.

Hice el informe rápido para salir del paso.

neutral

"Salirse del tiesto"

To act inappropriately or out of line.

A veces se sale del tiesto con sus comentarios.

informal

Easily Confused

sale vs irse

Both mean 'to leave'.

'Salir' (sale) focuses on the exit point. 'Irse' (se va) focuses on the departure from the speaker.

Sale de la habitación vs. Se va de la ciudad.

sale vs partir

Both mean 'to depart'.

'Partir' is more formal and used for long trips or schedules.

El tren sale vs. El explorador parte.

sale vs dejar

Both translate to 'leave' in English.

'Dejar' is for objects or abandoning; 'salir' is for physical movement.

Deja las llaves vs. Sale de casa.

sale vs quedar

Opposite meanings but used in similar social contexts.

'Quedar' is to meet up; 'salir' is to go out/date.

Quedamos a las cinco vs. Salimos a las cinco.

sale vs asomar

Both used for the sun.

'Asomar' is to just start appearing; 'salir' is the general act of rising.

El sol asoma vs. El sol sale.

Sentence Patterns

A1

[Sujeto] sale de [lugar].

María sale de la tienda.

A2

[Sujeto] sale con [persona].

Pedro sale con su novia.

A2

[Sujeto] sale a [infinitivo].

El niño sale a jugar.

B1

[Sujeto] sale [adjetivo].

El dibujo sale bonito.

B1

Sale a cuenta [infinitivo].

Sale a cuenta comprarlo hoy.

B2

Sale a la luz [nombre].

Sale a la luz la verdad.

C1

Sale a relucir [nombre].

Sale a relucir su talento.

C2

Sale de lo común.

Su estilo sale de lo común.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

Related

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high; one of the top 100 verbs in Spanish.

Common Mistakes
  • La tienda tiene una sale. La tienda tiene una rebaja.

    Learners use the English noun 'sale' instead of the Spanish 'rebaja'.

  • Él sale la oficina. Él sale de la oficina.

    Forgetting the preposition 'de' when leaving a place.

  • Yo salo de casa. Yo salgo de casa.

    Using a regular conjugation for the 'yo' form of 'salir'.

  • Sale el libro en la mesa. Deja el libro en la mesa.

    Confusing 'salir' (to exit) with 'dejar' (to leave an object).

  • El sol se sale. El sol sale.

    Using the reflexive form for the sun rising, which implies overflowing.

Tips

Preposition Power

Always pair 'sale' with 'de' for locations and 'con' for people. This clears up 90% of usage confusion.

Not a Noun

If you see 'SALE' on a shop window in a Spanish-speaking country, it's likely an English sign. Look for 'Rebajas' instead.

Short 'E'

The final 'e' in 'sale' is like the 'e' in 'egg'. Don't make it sound like 'ay' as in 'say'.

Dating Language

If you want to ask if someone is single, ask '¿Sale con alguien?' (Is he/she dating anyone?).

Sun and Moon

Use 'sale' for the sun rising and 'se pone' for the sun setting. They are a natural pair.

Outcome Verb

Use 'sale' to describe how a photo, a meal, or a test turned out. 'Me salió bien' (It turned out well for me).

Worth It

Learn 'sale a cuenta'. It's a very common way to say something is cost-effective or worth the trouble.

Leave vs. Exit

Don't use 'sale' for leaving objects. Use 'dejar' for keys, bags, or messages.

Travel Tip

In train stations, look for 'Salidas' (Departures) to find where your train 'sale'.

Compliments

In Spain, if someone says '¡Te sales!', take it as a huge compliment on your skills.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Saloon' door. When someone 'sale' (leaves), they push through the saloon doors.

Visual Association

Imagine a bright yellow sun with the word 'SALE' written on it, rising over a door labeled 'EXIT'.

Word Web

salir salida sol novio tren puerta fuera resultado

Challenge

Try to use 'sale' in three different ways today: one for a person leaving, one for the sun, and one for a result.

Word Origin

Derived from the Latin verb 'salire', which means 'to jump' or 'to leap'.

Original meaning: To jump out or leap forth.

Romance (Latin)

Cultural Context

Be careful with 'salido' (the past participle), as in some regions it can be slang for being 'horny' or 'lustful'.

English speakers often confuse 'sale' with a retail sale. In English, 'sale' is a noun; in Spanish, it is a verb.

The song 'Cuando sale el sol' by various artists. The phrase 'Sale el sol para todos' (The sun rises for everyone) - a common proverb. Spanish movie titles often use 'salir' for coming-of-age stories.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Transportation

  • ¿A qué hora sale el tren?
  • El vuelo sale con retraso.
  • Sale del andén cinco.
  • El bus sale cada hora.

Social Life

  • Ella sale con sus amigos.
  • ¿Sales esta noche?
  • Él sale con María.
  • Salimos a cenar.

Weather

  • El sol sale temprano.
  • Mañana sale el sol.
  • ¿A qué hora sale la luna?
  • Sale un día precioso.

Results

  • Todo sale bien.
  • El pastel sale rico.
  • La foto sale borrosa.
  • No me sale el ejercicio.

Media

  • La película sale mañana.
  • Sale en las noticias.
  • El libro sale en mayo.
  • Sale en la radio.

Conversation Starters

"¿A qué hora sale el sol en tu ciudad durante el invierno?"

"¿Con qué frecuencia sale tu mejor amigo a bailar?"

"¿A qué hora sale el último autobús para volver a tu casa?"

"¿Qué haces cuando un plan no sale como esperabas?"

"¿Sabes si sale alguna película interesante este fin de semana?"

Journal Prompts

Describe a qué hora sale cada miembro de tu familia de casa por la mañana.

Escribe sobre una vez que un plan te salió perfecto y por qué.

¿Qué sientes cuando sale el sol después de muchos días de lluvia?

Haz una lista de las cosas que haces cuando sales con tus amigos.

Escribe sobre un proyecto que te salió mal y qué aprendiste de ello.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, 'sale' is a verb meaning 'he/she leaves'. For a discount, use 'rebaja' or 'oferta'. This is a common false friend for English speakers.

You say 'El sol sale'. It is the standard way to describe the sun appearing in the morning.

Yes, 'sale con' followed by a person means 'is dating' or 'is going out with'. For example, 'Él sale con Ana'.

'Sale' emphasizes the act of going through an exit (like a door). 'Se va' emphasizes the act of leaving a location entirely.

The verb 'salir' is irregular in the 'yo' form (salgo) and the future (saldrá), but 'sale' itself follows the regular -ir verb pattern for the 3rd person singular.

You must use 'Él deja las llaves'. You cannot use 'sale' here because 'sale' is for the person moving, not for placing objects.

It means 'everything turns out well'. 'Sale' is often used to describe the result or outcome of a situation.

Yes, 'La película sale mañana' means 'The movie comes out tomorrow', just like in English.

It is a slang compliment meaning 'you are amazing' or 'you are doing a great job'. It literally means 'you are exceeding (the limits)'.

Yes, if you are naming the place being exited. 'Sale de la casa' is correct; 'Sale la casa' is incorrect.

Test Yourself 180 questions

writing

Write a sentence using 'sale' to describe the sun.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Write a sentence using 'sale' to say someone is leaving school.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Write a sentence using 'sale con' to describe a couple.

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Write a sentence using 'sale' for a train departure.

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Write a sentence using 'sale' to describe a result.

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Write a sentence using 'sale a cuenta'.

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Write a sentence using 'sale a la luz'.

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Write a sentence using 'sale rana'.

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Write a sentence using 'sale' for a movie release.

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Write a sentence using 'sale de viaje'.

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Write a sentence using 'sale a correr'.

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Write a sentence using 'sale de la nada'.

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Write a sentence using 'se sale' for overflowing.

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Write a sentence using 'sale por pies'.

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Write a sentence using 'sale a relucir'.

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Write a sentence using 'sale de lo común'.

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Write a sentence using 'sale bien parado'.

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Write a sentence using 'sale' for a stain.

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Write a sentence using 'sale a caminar'.

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Write a sentence using 'sale' for a price.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'He leaves the room' in Spanish.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'The sun rises' in Spanish.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'She dates Carlos' in Spanish.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'The train leaves now' in Spanish.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'Everything turns out well' in Spanish.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'It's worth it' using 'sale'.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'The truth comes to light' in Spanish.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'He takes after his father' using 'sale'.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'The cake is coming out of the oven' in Spanish.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'He is leaving on a trip' in Spanish.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'The stain doesn't come out' in Spanish.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'He gets his way' in Spanish.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'It backfired' in Spanish.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'You are amazing!' (slang) in Spanish.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'The movie comes out tomorrow' in Spanish.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'He leaves at eight' in Spanish.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'The cat comes out' in Spanish.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'He goes out to run' in Spanish.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'It's out of the ordinary' in Spanish.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'The smoke comes out' in Spanish.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen to 'El sol sale a las seis'. What time does the sun rise?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen to 'Él sale con su hermana'. Who is he with?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen to 'El tren sale del andén tres'. Which platform?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen to 'La cena sale por cincuenta euros'. How much is the dinner?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen to 'Sale de la oficina ahora'. Is he in the office?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen to 'Todo salió rana'. Was it good?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen to 'Se sale con la suya'. Did he win?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen to 'La película sale el viernes'. When is the release?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen to 'Sale a caminar cada día'. How often?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen to 'La mancha sale con agua'. How do you clean it?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen to 'Sale de viaje mañana'. When is he leaving?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen to 'El tiro le salió por la culata'. Did it work?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen to 'Sale a la luz la noticia'. Is it a secret now?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen to 'Sale disparado'. Is he fast?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen to 'Sale a relucir su genio'. What is appearing?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

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