andar

One of the most common Spanish verbs: to walk (andar por el parque), but just as often used more loosely for 'to go around,' 'to be' (with a gerund or adjective: ando buscando trabajo, anda cansado), or 'to work/function' (el reloj no anda). Its preterite is highly irregular and worth learning early given how often the verb comes up.

• Nos gusta andar por el centro los domingos. — We like to walk around downtown on Sundays.
• Anduve buscando las llaves toda la mañana. — I went around looking for the keys all morning.
• Este reloj ya no anda bien. — This clock doesn't work properly anymore.

Conjugating the preterite as a regular verb (andé, andó) — it's irregular: anduve, anduviste, anduvo, anduvimos, anduvisteis, anduvieron, a form that trips up even fairly advanced learners.

Often confused with caminar.

• song "Andar Conmigo" — Lead single by Mexican singer-songwriter Julieta Venegas from her 2003 album Sí, nominated for the Latin Grammy Award for Song of the Year — one of the best-known Spanish-language pop songs built around this verb.