cancelar
/kahn-seh-LAHR/
cancel
To 'cancelar' means to call off or annul an event, like tearing up an event ticket.
cancelar(verb)
cancel
?to call off or annul an event
,call off
?to stop a plan
annul
?formal decision
📝 In Action
Tuvimos que cancelar el viaje por la lluvia.
A2We had to cancel the trip because of the rain.
¿Podemos cancelar mi reservación para esta noche?
A1Can we cancel my reservation for tonight?
La reunión se canceló a última hora.
B1The meeting was canceled at the last minute. (Uses the reflexive form 'cancelarse')
💡 Grammar Points
The Reflexive Form
You can use 'cancelarse' (like 'se canceló') when the event cancels itself, or when you don't mention who did the canceling. This is common for passive sentences.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Cancelar' for Subscriptions
Mistake: "Using 'cancelar' when you mean 'unsubscribe' from an email list."
Correction: Use 'darse de baja' or 'anular la suscripción' instead of 'cancelar' for digital services.
⭐ Usage Tips
Polite Cancellation
When canceling, it's polite to add 'disculpe' (excuse me) or 'lo siento' (I'm sorry) before or after the verb.
This definition of 'cancelar' means to pay a bill or debt.
cancelar(verb)
pay
?to pay a bill or debt
,settle
?to settle an account
pay off
?debt or loan
📝 In Action
Voy a cancelar la factura de luz antes de que corten el servicio.
B1I'm going to pay the electricity bill before they cut the service.
Ellos lograron cancelar todas sus deudas hipotecarias.
B2They managed to pay off all their mortgage debts.
💡 Grammar Points
Pagar vs. Cancelar
'Pagar' is the general word for paying. 'Cancelar' is often used when settling a specific, large bill or debt, giving it a slightly more formal or final feeling.
When used socially, 'cancelar' means to socially ostracize or boycott a person.
📝 In Action
Después de su tweet, muchos usuarios decidieron cancelarlo.
C1After his tweet, many users decided to cancel him (socially boycott him).
La cultura de la cancelación es un tema controversial.
C2Cancel culture is a controversial topic.
💡 Grammar Points
Modern Usage
This meaning is a direct borrowing from English 'to cancel' (in the sense of withdrawing support). It is understood but mainly used in informal, online contexts.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Key
Only use this meaning when discussing public figures or social media controversies; otherwise, people will assume you mean 'to stop an event' or 'to pay a bill'.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: cancelar
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'cancelar' in the sense of paying a debt?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'cancelar' always a regular verb?
Yes, 'cancelar' is a perfectly regular -AR verb in Spanish. This means all its conjugations follow the standard pattern without any tricky stem changes or spelling variations, making it easy to learn!
When should I use 'cancelar' for paying, and when should I just use 'pagar'?
'Pagar' is general (I pay for coffee). 'Cancelar' is often used when settling a bill or debt completely, especially in formal or financial settings (e.g., paying off a credit card balance or a mortgage). In Mexico and Central America, 'cancelar' is commonly used for paying utility bills.