caminhar vs andar
Portuguese word comparison
Listen to caminhar
Listen to andar
| caminhar | andar |
|---|---|
/ka-mi-NHAR/ verb | /ahn-DAR/ verb |
| to walk; to move on foot at a normal pace | to walk; to go on foot |
How they differ
Andar is the most general and common synonym, but it is broader than caminhar. It can mean simply walking, but also means "to go" or "to move" in other contexts, while caminhar stays more specifically tied to walking on foot.
When to use each
When to use caminhar: Prefer caminhar when you want to emphasize the physical act of walking, often with a slightly more descriptive or deliberate tone.
When to use andar: Prefer andar when you want the most natural, everyday verb for walking or going on foot.
Side-by-side examples
- Gosto de caminhar no parque pela manhã.
(I like to walk in the park in the morning.) - Gosto de andar no parque pela manhã.
(I like to walk in the park in the morning.)
Register & nuance: Andar is very common and neutral, and it is used more often in everyday speech than caminhar.
- See the full Word of the Day entry for caminhar
- See the Word of the Day entry for andar
- Back to today's Portuguese word