deshacer
/des-ah-SEHR/
to undo
Deshacer can mean to undo a physical action, like unraveling a scarf.
deshacer(verb)
to undo
?reversing a physical action
,to unpack
?emptying a suitcase or bag
to untie
?releasing a knot
📝 In Action
Tengo que deshacer la maleta después del viaje.
A2I have to unpack the suitcase after the trip.
No puedo deshacer este nudo.
A2I can't undo this knot.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Hacer' Connection
This word works exactly like 'hacer'. If you know 'yo hago', then you know 'yo deshago'. If you know 'él hizo', you know 'él deshizo'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Watch the 'I' in the Past
Mistake: "Yo deshací."
Correction: Say 'Yo deshice'. Like the word 'hacer', the past tense forms use an 'i' instead of an 'a'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Unpacking or Emptying?
While 'vaciar' means to empty something out, 'deshacer la maleta' is the specific way Spanish speakers talk about unpacking after travel.
Deshacer also means to melt, such as ice turning into water.
📝 In Action
El hielo se deshizo rápidamente bajo el sol.
B1The ice melted quickly under the sun.
Tienes que deshacer la pastilla en un vaso de agua.
B1You have to dissolve the pill in a glass of water.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'se'
When something melts on its own (like ice), we add 'se' to the verb: 'El hielo se deshace'.
When used as 'deshacerse de', it means to get rid of something.
deshacer(verb)
to get rid of
?when used as 'deshacerse de'
to shake off
?avoiding someone
📝 In Action
Necesito deshacerme de esta ropa vieja.
B1I need to get rid of these old clothes.
No podía deshacerme de él, ¡no paraba de hablar!
B2I couldn't shake him off, he wouldn't stop talking!
⭐ Usage Tips
Don't forget the 'de'!
If you want to say 'get rid of something,' you must use the little word 'de'. Example: 'Me deshice de la basura'.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: deshacer
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence means 'I need to unpack my bags'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'deshacer' a regular verb?
No, it is highly irregular because it follows the same pattern as the common verb 'hacer'.
Does 'deshacer' always mean 'to undo'?
Mostly, but when you add 'se' (deshacerse de), it takes on the very common meaning of 'to get rid of'.