Nos mudamos al centro en abril.

We are moving to the downtown area in April.

Breakdown of Nos mudamos al centro en abril.

• en: in
• nosotros: we
• a: to
• el centro: the downtown area
• abril: April
• mudarse: to move

Questions & Answers about Nos mudamos al centro en abril.

Does Nos mudamos mean present or past?

It can be either. For nosotros, the present (nos mudamos = we move/are moving) and the preterite (nos mudamos = we moved) look the same. You tell from context and time expressions. Here, en abril could refer to last April, this coming April, or April in general, so context is key or you add a clarifier.

How do I say clearly “We are moving in April (this coming April)”?

• Nos vamos a mudar al centro en abril.
• Nos mudaremos al centro en abril.
• In everyday speech, the simple present also works for scheduled future: Nos mudamos al centro en abril.

How do I say clearly “We moved in April (past)”?

• Nos mudamos al centro en abril pasado.
• Nos mudamos al centro en abril de 2024.
• With context, Nos mudamos al centro en abril is fine.

Why is it reflexive (nos mudamos)? Can I drop nos?

The verb for relocating your home is mudarse (pronominal), so you must use the reflexive pronoun: me/te/se/nos/se. Without it, mudar means “to change” (something) or “to shed” (skin/feathers). You cannot drop nos here.

Can I say Nos movemos al centro instead?

Not for moving house. Moverse is to move one’s body/position; mudarse is to relocate homes. Use mudarse for changing residence.

Why al and not a el?

Spanish contracts a + el → al. So it’s al centro. Note: there’s no contraction with the pronoun él (a él).

What exactly does el centro mean here?

In Latin America, el centro usually means “downtown/city center.” It does not mean “the mall.” For “the mall,” say el centro comercial.

Why a after mudarse and not en or para?

• Destination after mudarse takes a: mudarse a + lugar.
• En marks location, not destination: Viven en el centro.
• Para isn’t used for this destination; it can suggest purpose or a deadline.

How do I express where we’re moving from?

Use de for origin and a for destination:

• Nos mudamos de las afueras al centro en abril.
• Nos mudamos de Lima a Cusco en abril.

Does en abril mean “in April” or “by April”?

En abril = “in April” (during that month).
For “by April,” use para and usually a future/perfect form:

• Para abril ya estaremos en el centro.
• Para abril nos habremos mudado.

Can I move the time phrase? Is word order flexible?

Yes. All are natural:

• En abril nos mudamos al centro.
• Nos mudamos al centro en abril.
• Nos mudamos en abril al centro. (less common but acceptable)

Do I capitalize abril? Do I need an article?

Months are lowercase in Spanish: abril. Use en abril, not en el abril. With a specific date: el 3 de abril.

How do I say we’re in the middle of moving?

Use the progressive:

• Nos estamos mudando al centro.
• Estamos mudándonos al centro. (note the written accent on mudándonos)

What’s the difference between preterite and imperfect with this verb?

• Preterite (completed move): Nos mudamos al centro en abril.
• Imperfect (ongoing/habitual/past background):
  
  • Ongoing: En abril nos mudábamos al centro cuando ocurrió X (“we were moving…”).
  • Habitual: Cada abril nos mudábamos al centro.

Are there synonyms for mudarse in this context?

Yes, depending on region/register:

• Trasladarnos (more formal): Nos trasladamos al centro en abril.
• Cambiarnos de casa: Nos cambiamos de casa al centro en abril.

Any quick pronunciation tips for Latin American Spanish here?

• c before e in centro sounds like S: “SEN-tro.”
• The d in mudamos is soft between vowels.
• The b in abril is a soft bilabial between vowels.
  Together: “nos mu-DA-mos al SEN-tro en a-BRIL.”