Using ir por to express what point/stage someone has reached

How to express in Spanish actions with steps/stages with "ir por"

If we want to express what point or stage we have reached when doing something that is understood as having steps or stages, we can use:

Ir por [something]

The context can vary; it could be used when talking about reading a book, walking some distance, watching a TV series, etc 

For example:

Voy por la mitad del libro más o menos, así que no me cuentes el final.I am halfway through the book more or less, so don't tell me [what happens at] the end.

-Te estamos esperando, Carlos. -Llego en 5 minutos, voy por la calle Sierpes.-We are waiting for you, Carlos. -I'll be there in 5 minutes, I am on Sierpes street.

-Marta se pasó un poco ayer. Iba por la quinta cerveza y se puso a bailar en las mesas.-Marta overdid it yesterday. She was on her fifth beer and she started to dance on the tables.

Estoy muy contento con las ventas de este mes. Vamos por los 2 millones de euros y todavía nos quedan 5 días para terminar julio.I am very happy with this month's sales. We reached 2 million euros and we still have another 5 days until the end of July.

In all the examples above someone is at/has reached a specific point/stage (expressed with ir por)

How to ask where someone is at:

¿Por dónde vas?Where are you at? 

 

 

Want to make sure your Spanish sounds confident? We’ll map your knowledge and give you free lessons to focus on your gaps and mistakes. Start your Brainmap today »

Learn more about these related Spanish grammar topics

Examples and resources

Voy por la mitad del libro más o menos, así que no me cuentes el final.I am halfway through the book more or less, so don't tell me [what happens at] the end.
Estoy muy contento con las ventas de este mes. Vamos por los 2 millones de euros y todavía nos quedan 5 días para terminar julio.I am very happy with this month's sales. We reached 2 million euros and we still have another 5 days until the end of July.
¿Por dónde vas?Where are you at? 
-Marta se pasó un poco ayer. Iba por la quinta cerveza y se puso a bailar en las mesas.-Marta overdid it yesterday. She was on her fifth beer and she started to dance on the tables.
-Te estamos esperando, Carlos. -Llego en 5 minutos, voy por la calle Sierpes.-We are waiting for you, Carlos. -I'll be there in 5 minutes, I am on Sierpes street.
Thinking...