How to Say “Let’s Move On” in Spanish

Introduction

Learning how to transition smoothly between topics is essential for natural Spanish conversation. Whether you’re wrapping up a meeting, changing subjects with friends, or redirecting a discussion, knowing the right phrases to move forward helps you communicate like a native speaker. This guide explores multiple ways to express the concept of moving on in Spanish.

The Most Common Translation: Sigamos Adelante

The most direct translation for let’s move on in Spanish is sigamos adelante. This phrase combines the verb seguir (to continue) in its first-person plural subjunctive form with the adverb adelante (forward or ahead). Together, they create a natural expression that Spanish speakers use frequently in both formal and informal contexts.

When you use sigamos adelante, you’re literally saying let’s continue forward, which captures the essence of moving past the current topic or situation. This phrase works well in professional settings like business meetings, classroom discussions, and presentations.

Examples:
Ya discutimos ese punto suficiente, sigamos adelante.
(We’ve discussed that point enough, let’s move on.)

Sigamos adelante con la siguiente pregunta.
(Let’s move on to the next question.)

Alternative Expressions for Different Contexts

Pasemos a Otro Tema

Another versatile option is pasemos a otro tema, which translates to let’s move to another topic. This phrase uses the verb pasar (to pass or move) and explicitly mentions changing topics, making your intention crystal clear. It’s particularly useful when you want to be direct about shifting the conversation.

The beauty of pasemos a otro tema lies in its flexibility. You can modify it to specify exactly what you’re moving toward by replacing otro tema with the new subject.

Examples:
Este tema es complicado, pasemos a otro tema.
(This topic is complicated, let’s move on.)

Pasemos al siguiente punto de la agenda.
(Let’s move on to the next point on the agenda.)

Cambiemos de Tema

For a more casual approach, try cambiemos de tema, meaning let’s change the subject. This expression uses the verb cambiar (to change) and feels slightly less formal than sigamos adelante. Native speakers often use this phrase when conversations become uncomfortable, repetitive, or when they simply want to discuss something else.

You’ll hear cambiemos de tema frequently among friends and family, though it’s also acceptable in semi-formal situations. The phrase carries a gentle but clear signal that it’s time for a new direction.

Examples:
Ya hablamos demasiado de esto, cambiemos de tema.
(We’ve talked about this too much already, let’s move on.)

¿Podemos cambiar de tema? Esto me aburre.
(Can we change the subject? This bores me.)

Informal and Colloquial Options

Dejemos Esto and Dejémoslo

When speaking casually, you might use dejemos esto or dejémoslo, both meaning let’s leave this or let’s drop it. These phrases come from the verb dejar (to leave or let go) and suggest abandoning the current topic entirely rather than smoothly transitioning.

While dejemos esto is more direct, dejémoslo uses a pronoun to make the expression slightly shorter and more colloquial. Both work well when you want to completely move away from an uncomfortable or unproductive conversation.

Examples:
No estamos llegando a ninguna parte, dejémoslo.
(We’re not getting anywhere, let’s move on.)

Dejemos esto para otro momento.
(Let’s leave this for another time.)

Pasemos la Página

The idiom pasemos la página literally means let’s turn the page, similar to its English equivalent. This metaphorical expression suggests not just moving forward but also leaving something behind, often with a sense of finality. Spanish speakers use this when they want to emphasize putting the past behind them.

You’ll find pasemos la página particularly useful when discussing past conflicts, mistakes, or difficult situations that need to be left in the past.

Examples:
Ese error ya pasó, pasemos la página.
(That mistake is in the past, let’s move on.)

Es hora de pasar la página y empezar de nuevo.
(It’s time to turn the page and start fresh.)

Regional Variations and Local Expressions

Spanish varies significantly across different countries and regions. In Mexico, you might hear sigamos con lo nuestro (let’s continue with our thing), which feels informal and friendly. Meanwhile, in Spain, people sometimes say vamos a lo siguiente (let’s go to the next thing) in casual conversations.

Argentina and Uruguay favor expressions like pasemos en limpio when wrapping up discussions and moving to conclusions, though this phrase also implies summarizing or clarifying. In the Caribbean, you might encounter vamos pa’lante, a shortened form of vamos para adelante (let’s go forward), used in very casual settings.

Understanding these regional differences helps you connect more authentically with Spanish speakers from various backgrounds and shows cultural awareness.

Choosing the Right Phrase for the Situation

Formal Professional Settings

In business meetings, presentations, or academic environments, stick with sigamos adelante or pasemos al siguiente punto. These expressions maintain professionalism while clearly indicating the transition. You can also use continuemos con (let’s continue with) followed by the next topic for a polished, formal tone.

Examples in professional contexts:
Sigamos adelante con la presentación de resultados.
(Let’s move on with the results presentation.)

Continuemos con el análisis del segundo trimestre.
(Let’s continue with the second quarter analysis.)

Casual Conversations with Friends

With friends and family, you have more freedom to use casual expressions like cambiemos de tema, dejémoslo, or even playful phrases like ya, ya, siguiente (okay, okay, next). The key is matching your language to the relationship and comfort level with your conversation partners.

In relaxed settings, you might also simply say bueno (well) or en fin (anyway) as transition words that signal you’re ready to move forward without being too direct.

Navigating Sensitive Topics

When a conversation becomes uncomfortable or emotionally charged, choosing your words carefully matters. Phrases like pasemos la página or mejor hablemos de otra cosa (better let’s talk about something else) acknowledge the sensitivity while gently redirecting.

You can also soften your transition by adding phrases like si te parece bien (if that’s okay with you) or ¿qué te parece si…? (what do you think if we…?) to make the suggestion collaborative rather than abrupt.

Practical Tips for Natural Usage

To sound more natural when moving conversations forward, pay attention to your tone and body language. Spanish speakers often combine these transition phrases with gestures, like a forward hand motion or opening palms, to reinforce the message nonverbally.

Practice using these expressions with filler words that native speakers employ, such as bueno pues (well then), entonces (so/then), or en cualquier caso (in any case). These connectors make transitions smoother and more conversational.

Examples with natural flow:
Bueno pues, sigamos adelante con lo que teníamos planeado.
(Well then, let’s move on with what we had planned.)

Entonces, cambiemos de tema y hablemos de algo más alegre.
(So, let’s change the subject and talk about something happier.)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Learners sometimes translate too literally, creating awkward phrases like vamos a mover en, which doesn’t exist in natural Spanish. Remember that direct word-for-word translation rarely works between languages. Instead, focus on learning authentic expressions that native speakers actually use.

Another common error is using the wrong verb mood. Many transition phrases require the subjunctive mood, like sigamos (not seguimos) or pasemos (not pasamos). The subjunctive expresses suggestions or proposals, which is exactly what you’re doing when suggesting to move forward.

Finally, be mindful of context. Using overly casual expressions in professional settings or very formal language with friends can create awkwardness. Match your register to your audience and situation for the most effective communication.

Expanding Your Transition Vocabulary

Beyond saying let’s move on, building a broader vocabulary of transition expressions enhances your fluency. Learn related phrases like volviendo al tema (getting back to the topic), por otro lado (on the other hand), and a propósito (by the way) to navigate conversations smoothly in multiple directions.

You can also practice phrases that acknowledge previous points before transitioning, such as entiendo tu punto, pero (I understand your point, but) or eso es interesante, y ahora (that’s interesting, and now). These create smoother, more respectful transitions that show you’re listening while still guiding the conversation.

Conclusion

Mastering the art of moving conversations forward in Spanish requires understanding multiple expressions and knowing when to use each one. From the versatile sigamos adelante to casual options like cambiemos de tema, you now have a complete toolkit for transitioning smoothly between topics. Practice these phrases in real conversations, pay attention to how native speakers use them, and soon you’ll navigate Spanish discussions with confidence and natural flow.