deshacerse
“deshacerse” means “to get rid of” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
to get rid of, to dispose of
Also: to shake off, to sell off
📝 In Action
Necesito deshacerme de estos viejos muebles.
B1I need to get rid of this old furniture.
Ella se deshizo de la mala costumbre de fumar.
B2She shook off the bad habit of smoking.
¿Por qué no te deshaces de ese coche tan viejo?
A2Why don't you get rid of that really old car?
to melt, to dissolve
Also: to fall apart, to crumble
📝 In Action
El helado se deshizo rápidamente bajo el sol.
A2The ice cream melted quickly under the sun.
La vieja tela se deshacía al tocarla.
B1The old fabric was falling apart just by touching it.
La pastilla se deshace en el agua caliente.
A2The pill dissolves in the hot water.
to lavish praise (on), to gush (over)
Also: to be overcome with
📝 In Action
El crítico se deshizo en elogios hacia la nueva película.
C1The critic lavished praise on the new movie.
Mi abuela se deshace en abrazos cada vez que me ve.
B2My grandma is overcome with hugs every time she sees me.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: deshacerse
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'deshacerse' in the sense of 'to get rid of'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
'Deshacerse' comes from the verb 'deshacer' ('to undo'), which is formed by adding the negative prefix 'des-' (meaning 'un-' or 'reversal') to the fundamental verb 'hacer' ('to do' or 'to make,' from Latin *facere*). When the reflexive pronoun 'se' is added, the action is focused back on the subject, resulting in the meanings 'to undo oneself' (to dissolve) or 'to undo oneself of something' (to get rid of it).
First recorded: Medieval Spanish (as 'deshazer')
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'deshacer' and 'deshacerse'?
'Deshacer' is transitive, meaning you undo something else (e.g., 'deshice la maleta' — I unpacked the suitcase). 'Deshacerse' is reflexive, meaning the action happens to the subject (e.g., 'el hielo se deshizo' — the ice melted) or the subject gets rid of something (e.g., 'me deshice del problema' — I got rid of the problem).
Does 'deshacerse' always require 'de'?
No. When it means 'to get rid of' (Definition 1), it requires 'de'. When it means 'to melt/dissolve' (Definition 2), it usually does not. When it means 'to gush/lavish praise' (Definition 3), it requires 'en'.