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"Movida" is a form of "movida", a noun which is often translated as "move". "Marcha" is a form of "marcha", a noun which is often translated as "march". Learn more about the difference between "movida" and "marcha" below.
la movida(
moh
-
bee
-
dah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (games)
a. move
Juan hizo una pésima movida que le hizo perder la partida.Juan made a really bad move that lost him the game.
2. (strategy)
a. ploy
Esta es una movida chueca del gobierno para no pagarnos los sueldos.This is just a crafty ploy on the part of the government to avoid paying our wages.
a. scene
Es un personaje muy conocido en la movida nocturna barcelonesa.He's a well-known figure on the Barcelona nightclub scene.
b. action
Me mudo de este barrio porque aquí hay mucha movida y yo necesito dormir.I'm moving out of this neighborhood because there's too much action and I need to sleep.
4. (colloquial) (problem) (Spain)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Spain
a. trouble
Ayer tuve movida con mi mujer por la visita de mi madre.I had some trouble yesterday with my wife because of my mom's visit.
5. (colloquial) (affair) (Spain)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Spain
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Yo paso de movidas veganas. Quiero ir a una hamburguesería.I'm not into vegan stuff. I want to go to a burger joint.
A mi padre las movidas tecnológicas no le molan nada.Technology is really not my dad's thing.
6. (colloquial) (event) (Chile)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Chile
a. bash
Organicé una movida con mis hermanos para celebrar el aniversario de nuestros padres.I organized a bash with my siblings to celebrate our parents' anniversary.
b. do (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Los invitados trajeron vino, aperitivos y dulces a la movida de mi graduación.The guests brought wine, appetizers, and desserts to my graduation do.
la marcha(
mahr
-
chah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (long walk)
a. march (military, politics)
Hubo una marcha para protestar por el aumento en el precio de la gasolina.There was a march to protest the increase in the price of gasoline.
c. hike (excursion)
Una buena velocidad para una marcha en la montaña es de cuatro kilómetros por hora.A good speed for a mountain hike is four kilometers per hour.
3. (leaving)
a. departure
La marcha de un padre puede seriamente afectar a un hijo.The departure of a parent can upset a child.
4. (music)
a. march
La banda militar tocó una marcha en el desfile.The military band played a march in the parade.
5. (velocity)
a. speed
El camión iba a toda marcha cuando chocó contra el coche.The truck was going at top speed when it crashed into the car.
6. (automobile)
a. gear
Baja a la segunda marcha cuando tomes una curva.Shift down to second gear when you take a curve.
a. starter
La marcha se ha quemado y se tiene que cambiar.Your starter has burned out and needs to be replaced.
b. starter motor
Saqué una marcha de un carro en el depósito de chatarra.I pulled a starter motor from a car in the junkyard.
8. (operation)
a. running
Hay que cambiar el aceite de motor cada 10,000 kilómetros para garantizar la buena marcha del motor.You have to change the engine oil every 10,000 kilometers to ensure the smooth running of the engine.
9. (colloquial) (spirit) (Spain)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Spain
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Enrique y sus amigos siempre están de marcha.Enrique and his friends are always out on the town.
Había mucha marcha en esa fiesta.That was a very lively party.
