quitar
verb
1. to remove, take away + de
remove something from a place
Common combinations
- quitar una caja — remove a box
- quitar de la mesa — remove from the table
- quitar del camino — clear from the way
- Quita el libro de la mesa.Remove the book from the table.
- Alguien quitó la silla de la puerta.Someone moved the chair away from the door.
- Tengo que quitar los platos de aquí.I have to clear the plates from here.
2. to take away, deprive + a
take something away from someone
Common combinations
- quitar el móvil — take away the phone
- quitar la cartera — take a wallet
- quitar tiempo — take up time
- Le quitaron el móvil al niño.They took the phone away from the child.
- El ladrón me quitó la cartera.The thief took my wallet.
- No quiero quitarte tu tiempo.I don't want to take up your time.
3. to remove, get rid of, relieve
eliminate a stain, pain, or problem
Common combinations
- quitar una mancha — remove a stain
- quitar el dolor — relieve pain
- quitar el miedo — remove fear
- Este jabón quita las manchas.This soap removes stains.
- Una ducha fría me quitó el calor.A cold shower relieved the heat.
- La medicina le quitó el dolor.The medicine took away his pain.
4. to take off quitarse + prenda
remove clothing or something worn on the body
Common combinations
- quitarse los zapatos — take off one's shoes
- quitarse la chaqueta — take off one's jacket
- quitarse el gorro — take off one's hat
- Me quité los zapatos en la entrada.I took off my shoes in the hall.
- Quítate la chaqueta, hace calor.Take off your jacket; it's hot.
- El niño no quiere quitarse el gorro.The child doesn't want to take off his hat.
5. to remove, dismiss
remove someone from a position or duty
Common combinations
- quitar del cargo — remove from office
- quitar del puesto — remove from a position
- quitar del caso — remove from a case
- La empresa quitó al director del cargo.The company removed the director from his position.
- El juez lo quitó del caso.The judge removed him from the case.
- Quieren quitarme de este trabajo.They want to remove me from this job.
6. to subtract, deduct quitar de
subtract in arithmetic or deduct an amount
Common combinations
- quitar dos de cinco — subtract two from five
- quitar dinero de la cuenta — deduct money from the bill
- quitar puntos — deduct points
- Si quitas dos de cinco, quedan tres.If you subtract two from five, three remain.
- Quita diez euros de la cuenta.Deduct ten euros from the bill.
- El profesor quitó un punto por el error.The teacher deducted one point for the mistake.
7. to move away, get out of the way quitarse de
move oneself away from a place or situation
Common combinations
- quitarse de la puerta — move away from the door
- quitarse de la fila — leave the line
- quitarse de en medio — get out of the way
- Quítate de la puerta, por favor.Move away from the door, please.
- Me quité de la fila porque tenía prisa.I left the line because I was in a hurry.
- Se quitó de en medio sin decir nada.He got out of the way without saying anything.
Same root
Phrases with this word