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

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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? 

 

 

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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.
I'll be right with you...