Spanish · A2 · Family moment
Safe steps across the road in Spanish
This guide focuses on building safe road-crossing habits with your child while practicing 'antes de' (before) constructions in Spanish. In Spanish, we often use the infinitive form of the verb after 'antes de' when the subject doesn't change.
What you'll learn
- Express temporal sequences using 'antes de'
- Learn vocabulary for road safety and the street environment
- Practice giving gentle instructions to children near traffic
Spanish phrases for safe steps across the road
Nos detenemos antes de llegar al bordillo.
We stop before we reach the kerb.
'Bordillo' is the most common word for curb/kerb.
Dame la mano antes de cruzar.
Hold my hand before we cross.
'Dame la mano' literally means 'give me the hand'.
Miramos a ambos lados antes de bajar a la calzada.
We look both ways before we step into the road.
'Calzada' refers to the part of the road where cars drive.
Antes de cruzar, esperamos a la luz verde.
Before we cross, we wait for the green light.
You can use 'la luz verde' or 'el semáforo en verde'.
Miro si vienen bicicletas antes de moverme.
I check for bicycles before I move.
Note how 'antes de' is followed by the infinitive 'moverme'.
Antes de seguirme, mira otra vez.
Before you follow me, look again.
'Seguirme' combines 'seguir' (follow) and 'me' (me).
Esperamos a que el coche se pare antes de cruzar.
We wait until the car stops before we cross.
'Parar' is to stop. 'Antes de cruzar' is the phrase focus here.
Antes de seguir caminando, veamos si estamos todos.
Before we walk on, let's check that everyone is here.
'Veamos' is a polite way to say 'let's see/check'.
Hear these phrases and practise them
Tildi plays every phrase out loud, tests you in five-minute lessons and builds them into bedtime stories from your own picture books.
Try it free for 7 daysKey words
Bordillo
Curb / Kerb
The edge where the sidewalk meets the road.
Cruzar
To cross
Commonly used for crossing streets, bridges, or rooms.
Semáforo
Traffic light
A masculine noun: 'el semáforo'.
Ambos lados
Both sides / Both ways
Essential for road safety instruction.
Using 'Antes de' with Infinitives
In English, we say 'before we cross' or 'before crossing'. In Spanish, if the person performing both actions is the same, we use 'antes de' followed by the infinitive (the -ar, -er, or -ir form).
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Antes de + Infinitive | Antes de caminar (Before walking) |
| With Reflexive | Antes de + Infinitive + Pronoun | Antes de moverme (Before I move) |
More examples
Mira a la izquierda antes de cruzar.
Look left before crossing.
A simple direct command for a child.
Antes de bajar, espera.
Before going down (to the road), wait.
Short and effective for safety.