desalojar
“desalojar” means “to evict” in Spanish (removing someone from a property).
to evict, to vacate
Also: to clear out, to displace
📝 In Action
El dueño tuvo que desalojar a los inquilinos porque no pagaban el alquiler.
B1The owner had to evict the tenants because they weren't paying the rent.
La policía desalojó el edificio tras la amenaza de bomba.
B1The police cleared out the building after the bomb threat.
Es obligatorio desalojar la sala antes de las diez de la noche.
A2It is mandatory to vacate the room before ten at night.
Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Indicative
Preterite
Imperfect
Present
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Quick Quiz: desalojar
Question 1 of 3
If a landlord forces a tenant to leave because they didn't pay, they are...
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👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Formed by adding the prefix 'des-' (which means to undo or remove) to the verb 'alojar' (to house or lodge). 'Alojar' itself comes from the word 'albergue' (shelter), which has roots in old Germanic languages.
First recorded: 16th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'desalojar' always negative?
Not necessarily. While it often implies a forced removal (eviction), it can also be a neutral instruction to vacate a room for cleaning or an emergency drill.
What is the difference between 'desalojar' and 'vaciar'?
'Vaciar' means to empty the contents (like taking furniture out of a room), whereas 'desalojar' focuses on the people leaving the space.
Can I use 'desalojar' for objects?
Yes, but it's more formal. For example, you can desalojar a shelf or a space by moving things out of it, though 'quitar' or 'mover' is more common for small items.