verb

trepar

climb

Subir usando las manos y los pies, normalmente por una pared, árbol u objeto alto.

Definition & meaning

Trepar means to climb, especially by using your hands and feet or by gripping a surface.

It can be used:

Intransitively, for climbing up or along something: trepar a un árbol means “to climb a tree.”
With a preposition, for climbing on or along a surface: trepar por una pared means “to climb up a wall.”
Figuratively, for advancing to a higher position or rank, sometimes with the suggestion of ambition or opportunism: trepar en una empresa means “to climb the ranks in a company.”
Of plants, for growing up or over a support.

Grammar & Word origin

Trepar is a regular -ar verb. Its stem is trep-, and -ar is the infinitive ending. The gerund is trepando and the past participle is trepado.

Its historical origin is uncertain. In present-day Spanish, it is used for the action of climbing or spreading upward.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms

Escalar means “to climb” or “to scale,” often emphasizing a steep or challenging surface.
Subir means “to go up” more generally; it does not necessarily imply climbing with hands and feet.
Enc encaramarse means “to get up onto” or “perch on” something, often with an emphasis on reaching an elevated spot.

Antonyms

Bajar means “to go down” or “to descend,” the most common opposite when someone climbs upward.
Descender also means “to descend,” and is somewhat more formal or descriptive.

Common phrases & collocations

Trepar a un árbol — to climb a tree.
Trepar por una pared — to climb up a wall.
Una planta trepa por una estructura — a plant grows or climbs up a structure.