subir

Subir is a Spanish verb with several related senses centered on movement toward a higher position, increase, or ascent in various contexts. Its core meanings include to go up physically, to rise or raise something, and to upload data or content in digital settings. It can also appear in reflexive form as subirse, meaning to get on or into a vehicle or onto a surface, and in fixed expressions such as subir de tono (to escalate in tone) or subir la apuesta (to raise the bet).

Common uses include: subir las escaleras or subir a una colina for physical ascent; subir el precio or la temperatura sube for increases; subir un archivo or subir fotos to the cloud or a social network for digital uploads; and subirse a un coche or subirse al tren to board transportation. The verb is often paired with prepositions or pronouns (subir a, subirse a, subir por, subir de).

Subir is a regular -ir verb, so its conjugation follows standard patterns. Present indicative: subo, subes, sube, subimos, subís, suben. Preterite: subí, subiste, subió, subimos, subisteis, subieron. Imperfect: subía, subías, subía, subíamos, subíais, subían. Gerund: subiendo. Past participle: subido. The reflexive form subirse behaves similarly (me subo, te subes, se sube, etc.) and is used for actions like getting onto a vehicle or mounting a stage.

Etymology traces to Latin subire, formed with prefix sub- and ire (to go), giving rise to the sense of moving upward or upward progression. Subir is ubiquitous across Spanish-speaking regions, with the digital sense increasingly dominant in contemporary usage. Related nouns include subida (upward movement or rise) and subido (uploaded).