tardar
take long · take
Es emplear un cierto tiempo para hacer algo o para que algo ocurra.
Definition & meaning
-
To take time: Describes how long a person or action needs to do something.
- Tardo veinte minutos en llegar. — It takes me twenty minutes to get there.
- La comida tardó una hora. — The meal took an hour.
-
To be slow or delayed: Describes taking longer than expected.
- El autobús tarda mucho. — The bus is taking a long time.
Grammar & Word origin
Tardar is a regular -ar verb. To say how long someone takes to do something, use tardar + amount of time + en + infinitive.
It comes from Latin tardāre, “to delay,” related to tardus, “slow.”
Synonyms & antonyms
- demorarse — to take time or be delayed; often emphasizes a delay.
- retrasarse — to be late or fall behind schedule, rather than simply take a certain amount of time.
- apresurarse — to hurry; an opposite when tardar implies being slow.
- darse prisa — to hurry up.
Common phrases & collocations
Make “tardar” part of your vocabulary.
Build your Spanish vocabulary with flashcards, audio and spaced repetition.
Examples
Es mejor no tardar en hacer la tarea.verb
It is better not to take long to do the homework.
Es probable que tardes un rato en encontrar las llaves.verb
It is likely that you will take a while to find the keys.
No quiero tardar en terminar la tarea.verb
I don't want to take long to finish the homework.
Voy a tardar diez minutos en llegar a casa.verb
I am going to take ten minutes to get home.
El autobús tardó mucho en llegar.verb
The bus took a long time to arrive.
¿Cuánto tiempo tardaste en aprender a nadar?verb
How long did you take to learn to swim?
Keep exploring Spanish
Learn words from the content you love.
Add words from websites, books and videos, then remember them with spaced repetition (SRS).
Scan for iPhone & iPad