Verb
/marˈtʃaɾ/
The verb "marchar" has several meanings in Spanish. Primarily, it is used to denote the act of marching or walking, typically in an organized manner, as one would in a parade or military formation. It can also imply the act of going somewhere or to function effectively.
The frequency of use of "marchar" is moderate; it appears in both spoken and written contexts, though it might be slightly more common in oral speech, especially in everyday conversations.
Los soldados marcharon hacia la frontera.
(The soldiers marched towards the border.)
Vamos a marchar por el parque esta tarde.
(We are going to walk through the park this afternoon.)
El reloj no marcha bien, necesita pilas nuevas.
(The clock is not functioning well; it needs new batteries.)
"Marchar" is part of several idiomatic expressions in Spanish, where its meaning extends beyond the literal concept of marching or walking.
Todo marcha sobre ruedas.
(Everything is going smoothly.)
No marcha como esperaba.
(It's not working as I expected.)
A marchas forzadas.
(At a forced march, or in a hasty manner.)
Si la cosa marcha mal, buscaremos soluciones.
(If things are going poorly, we will look for solutions.)
Marchar al compás.
(To march to the beat, referring to coordinating action with others.)
Marchar en una línea.
(To march in line, which can mean to follow orders or guidelines closely.)
Cuando algo marcha bien, la gente lo nota.
(When something is going well, people notice.)
Si el proyecto marcha, tendremos éxito pronto.
(If the project proceeds as planned, we will be successful soon.)
The word "marchar" is derived from the Latin verb "migrāre," which means "to move" or "to migrate." The evolution of the word has kept the essence of movement and progress, adapting to its various contemporary meanings.
In summary, "marchar" encompasses a variety of meanings and uses, making it an important verb in the Spanish language, especially in contexts involving movement, functioning, and idiomatic expressions.