What does hacia in Spanish mean?

What is the meaning of the word hacia in Spanish? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use hacia in Spanish.

The word hacia in Spanish means for, around, make, cause, make, do, make, say, take, do, cover, make, win, be, ago, get used to, move over, pretend to be, get, team up with, serve as, play, work as, play, turn, think, suppose, imagine, opening up to the market, opening up to the world, opening up of new markets, indicate, look out for number one, compassionate towards, fix your eyes on, turn your gaze to, go toward, move toward, downwards, ahead, inside, outside, up, where, towards the end of, north, towards me, toward me, inclined toward, go straight to, go right to, go toward, get worse, look ahead, look to the future, look the other way, stretch, come toward, come towards, come towards, travel towards. To learn more, please see the details below.

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Meaning of the word hacia

for

preposición (indica dirección) (towards)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")
El tren salió hacia Madrid.
The train left for Madrid.

around

preposición (alrededor de)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")
Llegaremos hacia las ocho.
We will arrive around eight.

make, cause

verbo transitivo (formar, producir)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
El café derramado hizo un charco en el piso.
The spilt coffee made a puddle on the floor.

make

verbo transitivo (elaborar, preparar) (product)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
El panadero hace pan.
A baker makes bread.

do

verbo transitivo (acciones, tareas) (action)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Ana hizo los deberes.
Ana did her chores.

make

verbo transitivo (provocar una acción) ([sb] do [sth])

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Los chistes de un buen comediante hacen reír a la gente. El alumno hizo que el profesor se equivocara.
Jokes from a good comedian make people laugh.

say

verbo transitivo (coloquial (sonidos de animales)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
El gato hace miau.
A cat says "meow."

take

verbo transitivo (tardar, demorar)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
El autobús hizo ocho horas de Tampico a la Ciudad de México.
The bus took eight hours from Tampico to Mexico City.

do, cover

verbo transitivo (recorrido, distancia)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Los nadadores hacen cuatro kilómetros diarios.
The swimmers do (or: cover) four kilometers daily.

make, win

verbo transitivo (ganar, conseguir algo)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Su padre soñaba con hacer fortuna en el extranjero pero regresó derrotado a su país.
His father dreamed of making a fortune abroad, but returned defeated to his own country.

be

verbo impersonal (clima, tiempo) (time, weather)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
Hoy hace mucho viento. Ayer hizo calor por la mañana.
Today it's very windy. Yesterday it was hot in the morning.

ago

verbo impersonal (tiempo pasado) (time)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Hace cinco años se casó mi hermano.
My brother got married five years ago.

get used to

(acostumbrarse a algo)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Es muy difícil hacerse a la idea de la muerte de un ser querido.
It's very hard to get used to the idea of the death of a loved one.

move over

(ubicarse en un lugar)

Hazte a un lado, que estorbas. El guía se hizo al frente y comenzó a caminar.
The guide moved to the front and began walking.

pretend to be

verbo pronominal (fingir, aparentar)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
El explorador se hizo el muerto para sobrevivir al ataque del oso.
The explorer was able to survive the bear attack by pretending to be dead.

get

(conseguir algo)

El joven ingeniero se hizo con el trabajo después de tres entrevistas.
The young engineer got the job after three interviews.

team up with

(persona: agruparse)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Voy a hacerme con Laura para la investigación.
I'm going to team up with Laura for the investigation.

serve as

(servir como)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Durante el huracán, la iglesia hizo de refugio.
During the hurricane the church served as a shelter.

play

(representar un personaje)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Mi actor favorito hará de espía en una serie.
My favourite actor will play a spy in a series.

work as

(desempeñar un empleo)

Laura hizo de cocinera cuando su empresa quebró.
Laura worked as a cook when her company went bankrupt.

play

(desempeñar un papel)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Marcos siempre hace de aguafiestas cuando todos se están divirtiendo.
Marcos always plays the spoilsport when everyone is having fun.

turn

verbo transitivo (ES (cumplir años)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Hoy Juan hace los tres años.
Today Juan turns three.

think, suppose, imagine

(imaginar, suponer)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Yo te hacía de vacaciones. Yo no hacía tan hablador a tu novio.
I thought you were on vacation. I didn't think your boyfriend was so talkative.

opening up to the market

(ampliar zona de ventas)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Debemos conseguir una apertura hacia el mercado si queremos sobrevivir.
An opening up to the market is essential if we are to survive.

opening up to the world

(abrirse a todos)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
La empresa necesita una apertura hacia el mundo para expandirse.
The company needs to open up to the world in order to expand.

opening up of new markets

(ampliación de mercado)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
La pequeña empresa planea una apertura hacia nuevos mercados para el próximo semestre.
The small company plans to open up new markets in the next six months.

indicate

(señalar hacia)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
La manecilla corta del reloj apunta hacia la hora.
The short hand on a clock indicates the hour.

look out for number one

locución verbal (coloquial (actuar por interés)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Tu mujer sabe barrer hacia adentro en situaciones de críticas.

compassionate towards

(que siente lástima por)

fix your eyes on, turn your gaze to

locución verbal (centrar la mirada en) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

go toward, move toward

locución verbal (ir en dirección a)

El huracán se dirige hacia una isla pero podría desviarse.
The hurricane is moving toward an island, but it could change direction.

downwards

locución adverbial (hacia la parte inferior)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
La calle va hacia abajo hasta llegar al río. María miró hacia abajo para ver los hongos que crecían entre el pasto.
The street goes downwards until it reaches the river.

ahead

locución adverbial (hacia el frente)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")
Tienes que ir hacia adelante cien metros más. El capitán miraba hacia delante esperando ver tierra firme.
You have to go ahead a hundred meters further.

inside

locución preposicional (al interior)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")
Mira hacia dentro y verás lo que hay.
Look inside and you will see what there is.

outside

locución preposicional (hacia el exterior)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")
Si vas hacia fuera, lleva un paraguas que está lloviendo.
If you go outside take an umbrella because it's raining.

up

locución adverbial (a lo alto)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")
El niño tomó la calle hacia arriba. La olla explotó y la tapa salió disparada hacia arriba.
ⓘEsta oración no es una traducción de la original. The girl looked up at the plane flying overhead.

where

locución preposicional (a qué lugar)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
¿Hacia dónde vas?
Where are you going?

towards the end of

(cerca del final)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

north

locución adverbial (en dicha dirección)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Debemos ir hacia el norte todo el trayecto.

towards me, toward me

locución adverbial (a mi)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
El niño está dando pasos hacia mí.
The child is stepping towards me (or: toward me).

inclined toward

(doblado en dirección a)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

go straight to, go right to

locución verbal (dirigirse sin desvío)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Vamos directo hacia la reunión.

go toward

(ir dirección a)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Valeria va hacia el sur, tal vez puede llevarte.
ⓘEsta oración no es una traducción de la original. To reach the library you should go toward the police station and turn right when you get to New Street.

get worse

locución verbal (coloquial (desmejorar, ir a peor)

Desde que comenzó la ley seca, la venta de vino va hacia atrás como los cangrejos.
The sale of wine has gotten worse since the prohibition law was passed.

look ahead

locución verbal (mirar al frente)

Si miran hacia adelante podrán ver el monumento.
If you look forward you will be able to see the monument.

look to the future

locución verbal (tener miras)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Juan mira hacia el futuro y tiene grandes planes.
Juan looks to the future and has great plans.

look the other way

locución verbal (figurado (hacer la vista gorda)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
El jefe decidió mirar para otro lado y no preocuparse por la puntualidad.
The boss decided to turn a blind eye and not worry about timeliness.

stretch

(estirar)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

come toward, come towards

(sitio del hablante)

Un autobús que venía hacia la ciudad se volcó en la carretera.
A bus rolled over as it came toward (or: came towards) the city.

come towards

(ir donde está alguien)

Soñé que un tren venía hacia mí a toda velocidad.
I dreamt that the train was coming towards me at full pelt.

travel towards

(desplazarse a)

Let's learn Spanish

So now that you know more about the meaning of hacia in Spanish, you can learn how to use them through selected examples and how to read them. And remember to learn the related words that we suggest. Our website is constantly updating with new words and new examples so you can look up the meanings of other words you don't know in Spanish.

Do you know about Spanish

Spanish (español), also known as Castilla, is a language of the Iberian-Romance group of the Romance languages, and the 4th most common language in the world according to Some sources, while others list it as a 2nd or 3rd most common language. It is the mother tongue of about 352 million people, and is spoken by 417 million people when adding its speakers as a language. sub (estimated in 1999). Spanish and Portuguese have very similar grammar and vocabulary; The number of similar vocabulary of these two languages is up to 89%. Spanish is the primary language of 20 countries around the world. It is estimated that the total number of speakers of Spanish is between 470 and 500 million, making it the second most widely spoken language in the world by number of native speakers.