Escalar vs. subir vs. trepar
In Spanish, the words 'escalar', 'subir', and 'trepar' can all mean 'to climb' or 'to scale'. However, they are used in different contexts. Let's explore these differences with examples.
Escalar
The verb 'escalar' usually means 'to scale' and is often used in the context of climbing mountains, cliffs, or other significant elevations.
Vamos a escalar el Everest el próximo año.
(We are going to scale Everest next year.)
Ella escaló la pared de roca sin ninguna ayuda.
(She climbed the rock wall without any help.)
Subir
'Subir' generally means 'to go up', and it can be used for climbing but also for ascending stairs, getting on a vehicle, or even increasing in rank.
Los niños subieron las escaleras corriendo.
(The kids ran up the stairs.)
Subimos al autobús en la próxima parada.
(We get on the bus at the next stop.)
El precio de la gasolina ha subido mucho últimamente.
(The price of gasoline has gone up a lot lately.)
Trepar
'Trepar' means 'to climb' and is commonly used when referring to climbing trees, fences, or other objects using hands and feet.
Los niños treparon al árbol para recoger manzanas.
(The kids climbed the tree to pick apples.)
Mi gato siempre trepa por la cerca del jardín.
(My cat always climbs over the garden fence.)
Summary
'Escalar', 'subir', and 'trepar' all mean 'to climb', but they are used in different contexts. 'Escalar' is mostly for scaling high elevations like mountains; 'subir' is more general for going up stairs, vehicles, and prices; while 'trepar' typically refers to climbing objects using hands and feet like trees or fences.