Inklingo
← Dictionary

delimitar

de-lee-mee-TARdelimiˈtaɾ

“delimitar” means “to mark off” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to mark off, to boundary

Also: to fence off
VerbB1regular ar
A row of small orange traffic cones placed in a straight line across a green field to mark a boundary.
gerunddelimitando
past Participledelimitado
infinitivedelimitar

📝 In Action

Usaron cuerdas para delimitar la zona de la excavación.

B1

They used ropes to mark off the excavation zone.

El jardinero quiere delimitar el huerto con piedras pequeñas.

A2

The gardener wants to boundary the vegetable patch with small stones.

Es difícil delimitar la frontera exacta en esta región boscosa.

B2

It is difficult to mark the exact border in this forested region.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • deslindar (to mark out boundaries)
  • marcar (to mark)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • delimitar el terreno – to mark off the land
  • delimitar el área – to boundary the area

to define, to specify

Also: to narrow down
VerbB2regular arformal
A single bright yellow lightbulb inside a white chalk circle on a blue background, showing the focus of an idea.
gerunddelimitando
past Participledelimitado
infinitivedelimitar

📝 In Action

Debemos delimitar claramente nuestras responsabilidades.

B2

We must clearly define our responsibilities.

El investigador necesita delimitar el tema de su tesis.

C1

The researcher needs to narrow down the topic of his thesis.

Este documento ayuda a delimitar el alcance del contrato.

B2

This document helps specify the scope of the contract.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • delimitar el alcance – to define the scope
  • delimitar funciones – to specify functions/roles

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yodelimitara
túdelimitaras
él/ella/usteddelimitara
nosotrosdelimitáramos
vosotrosdelimitarais
ellos/ellas/ustedesdelimitaran

Present Subjunctive

yodelimite
túdelimites
él/ella/usteddelimite
nosotrosdelimitemos
vosotrosdelimitéis
ellos/ellas/ustedesdelimiten

Indicative

Preterite

yodelimité
túdelimitaste
él/ella/usteddelimitó
nosotrosdelimitamos
vosotrosdelimitasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesdelimitaron

Imperfect

yodelimitaba
túdelimitabas
él/ella/usteddelimitaba
nosotrosdelimitábamos
vosotrosdelimitabais
ellos/ellas/ustedesdelimitaban

Present

yodelimito
túdelimitas
él/ella/usteddelimita
nosotrosdelimitamos
vosotrosdelimitáis
ellos/ellas/ustedesdelimitan
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "delimitar" in Spanish:

to boundary→to define→to specify→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: delimitar

Question 1 of 3

Which sentence refers to a physical boundary?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
límite(limit/border) — Noun
delimitación(delimitation/boundary-marking) — Noun
limitado(limited) — Adjective
limitar(to limit) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From Latin 'delimitare', which combines 'de-' (completely) and 'limitare' (to bound or limit). It shares a root with the English word 'limit'.

First recorded: 17th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: delimitFrench: délimiterItalian: delimitare

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'limitar' and 'delimitar'?

'Limitar' usually means to put a cap on something (like limiting speed or time), while 'delimitar' means to define or mark where the borders are.

Is 'delimitar' a formal word?

It is slightly more formal than 'marcar' (to mark), but it is very common in office environments and when describing property.

Is the 'g' in 'delimitando' pronounced like 'j'?

No, 'delimitar' does not have a 'g'. It is pronounced with a hard 'd' and 't' sound: /de-lee-mee-TAR/.