Saying “Can we move on?” in Spanish

Introduction

Learning how to transition between topics smoothly is an essential skill in any language. Whether you’re in a business meeting, a casual conversation with friends, or a classroom discussion, knowing how to politely suggest moving forward can save time and keep conversations productive. Spanish offers several nuanced ways to express this concept, each suited to different levels of formality and social contexts.

The Most Common Way: Podemos Seguir Adelante

The most straightforward translation of can we move on in Spanish is ¿Podemos seguir adelante? This phrase works beautifully in both formal and informal settings, making it your go-to option when you want to suggest continuing with a conversation or meeting.

The verb seguir means to continue or to follow, while adelante means forward or ahead. Together, they create a gentle yet clear suggestion that it’s time to progress. You’ll hear this phrase frequently in professional environments, educational settings, and even among friends who want to maintain a polite tone.

Here are some practical examples:
¿Podemos seguir adelante con el siguiente tema?
Can we move on to the next topic?

Ya discutimos esto suficiente. ¿Podemos seguir adelante?
We’ve discussed this enough. Can we move on?

Formal Alternatives for Professional Settings

When you’re in a business meeting, academic conference, or any formal situation where respect and professionalism are paramount, you might want to use more sophisticated expressions.

Podríamos Pasar al Siguiente Punto

¿Podríamos pasar al siguiente punto? is an excellent choice for structured meetings with agendas. The conditional form podríamos adds an extra layer of politeness, making your suggestion sound more like a proposal than a directive. The verb pasar means to pass or to move, and punto refers to a point on an agenda or outline.

Example in context:
Creo que hemos cubierto este tema extensamente. ¿Podríamos pasar al siguiente punto?
I think we’ve covered this topic extensively. Could we move on to the next point?

Continuemos con el Próximo Tema

For a more direct yet still professional approach, try Continuemos con el próximo tema, which means let’s continue with the next topic. This uses the subjunctive form continuemos, which carries a collective suggestion that includes everyone in the decision to move forward.

This phrase works particularly well when you’re leading a discussion or when you have the authority to guide the conversation’s direction.

Casual Expressions for Everyday Conversations

Among friends, family, or in relaxed social settings, Spanish speakers often use more colloquial expressions that convey the same meaning with a lighter tone.

Sigamos con Otra Cosa

Sigamos con otra cosa translates to let’s continue with something else. This informal phrase is perfect when you want to change the subject without being too serious about it. The verb sigamos is the imperative form of seguir, creating a friendly suggestion.

You might hear:
Este tema ya me aburrió. Sigamos con otra cosa.
This topic already bored me. Let’s move on to something else.

Cambiemos de Tema

Even more direct is Cambiemos de tema, meaning let’s change the subject. While this doesn’t translate literally to can we move on, it serves the same functional purpose in conversation. The verb cambiar means to change, making this expression particularly useful when the current topic has become uncomfortable or unproductive.

Common usage:
No quiero hablar más de eso. Cambiemos de tema.
I don’t want to talk about that anymore. Let’s change the subject.

Regional Variations Across Spanish-Speaking Countries

Spanish is spoken across more than 20 countries, and each region has developed its own colloquial expressions for moving conversations forward.

Latin American Expressions

In Mexico and parts of Central America, you might hear ¿Le seguimos? or ¿Le damos para adelante? These use regional phrasing that sounds natural to local speakers. The particle le here doesn’t refer to a specific person but rather adds a colloquial flavor to the expression.

In Argentina and Uruguay, speakers often say ¿Avanzamos?, using the verb avanzar which means to advance. This short, direct question fits the more straightforward communication style common in these regions.

Spanish from Spain

In Spain, you’ll frequently hear ¿Pasamos a lo siguiente? or the even more casual ¿Vamos a otra cosa? The verb vamos means we go or let’s go, creating an energetic, forward-moving feeling in the conversation.

Understanding Politeness Levels and Social Context

Choosing the right expression depends heavily on your relationship with the other person and the formality of the situation. Spanish culture places significant importance on respect and proper social hierarchy, so understanding these nuances will help you communicate more effectively.

When to Use Formal Expressions

Use ¿Podríamos pasar al siguiente punto? or similar formal phrases when speaking with supervisors, elderly people you don’t know well, clients, or in any professional setting. The conditional tense and more elaborate structure show respect and acknowledge that you’re making a suggestion rather than giving a command.

When Informal Works Best

Save Cambiemos de tema or Sigamos con otra cosa for friends, family members, or colleagues with whom you have a casual relationship. These expressions feel natural and friendly without seeming overly stiff or distant.

Adding Softeners and Polite Expressions

To make your suggestion even more courteous, you can add softening phrases before or after your main expression. These verbal cushions make your request feel less abrupt and more considerate.

Try beginning with phrases like:
Disculpa (excuse me) or Perdona (sorry)
Si no te importa (if you don’t mind)
Creo que (I think that)
Tal vez deberíamos (perhaps we should)

Example combinations:
Disculpa, pero ¿podemos seguir adelante?
Excuse me, but can we move on?

Si no te importa, cambiemos de tema.
If you don’t mind, let’s change the subject.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Language learners sometimes make errors when trying to express this concept in Spanish. Being aware of these pitfalls will help you sound more natural.

Literal Translation Errors

Avoid saying something like ¿Podemos movernos? as a direct translation of can we move. While grammatically possible, this phrase would mean can we physically move our bodies, not can we move on in conversation. The verb mover is primarily physical in Spanish.

Inappropriate Formality Mixing

Don’t mix formal and informal elements in the same sentence. For instance, using usted (formal you) with a very casual expression creates awkward language. Keep your formality level consistent throughout your statement.

Practical Scenarios and Role-Play Examples

Let’s explore how these phrases work in real-life situations to help you internalize when and how to use them.

Scenario One: Business Meeting

You’re in a quarterly review meeting, and the discussion about last quarter’s results has been going on too long. You need to redirect attention to future planning.

You might say:
Hemos analizado los resultados anteriores detalladamente. ¿Podríamos pasar al siguiente punto de la agenda? Necesitamos discutir las estrategias para el próximo trimestre.
We’ve analyzed the previous results in detail. Could we move on to the next point on the agenda? We need to discuss strategies for the next quarter.

Scenario Two: Friendly Conversation

Your friend keeps talking about an ex-partner, and you’d like to shift to a more positive topic.

You could say:
Ya sé que fue difícil, pero cambiemos de tema. Cuéntame sobre tu nuevo trabajo.
I know it was difficult, but let’s change the subject. Tell me about your new job.

Conclusion

Mastering the art of transitioning between topics in Spanish requires understanding both the linguistic options and the cultural context in which they’re used. From the versatile ¿Podemos seguir adelante? to region-specific expressions, you now have multiple tools to navigate conversations smoothly. Remember that choosing between formal and informal expressions depends on your relationship with your conversation partner and the social setting. Practice these phrases in real conversations, pay attention to how native speakers use them, and you’ll soon develop a natural feel for moving discussions forward with grace and cultural awareness.