despedir
/des-peh-DEER/
to fire
Despedir (to fire) often involves the difficult task of dismissing someone from their job.
despedir(verb)
to fire
?dismiss from employment
,to dismiss
?as in a court case or job
to let go
?colloquial for termination
📝 In Action
Despidieron a Juan por llegar tarde todos los días.
B2They fired Juan for being late every day.
El jefe me dijo que si no mejoro, me despide.
B2The boss told me that if I don't improve, he will fire me.
💡 Grammar Points
Stem-Changing Verb
In many forms (like 'yo despido'), the 'e' in the stem changes to 'i'. This is a common pattern for 'ir' verbs like 'pedir' (to ask) and 'servir' (to serve).
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Context
When talking about ending a job, 'despedir' is the most standard word. Use the past participle 'despedido/a' to describe someone who has been fired: 'Ella es una empleada despedida' (She is a fired employee).
When used reflexively (despedirse), the word means "to say goodbye."
despedir(verb)
to say goodbye
?when using the reflexive form 'despedirse'
,to see off
?accompanying someone leaving
to bid farewell
?formal
📝 In Action
Fuimos al aeropuerto para despedir a mi hermano.
B1We went to the airport to see off my brother.
Es hora de irme. Me despido de todos ustedes.
A2It's time for me to go. I say goodbye to all of you.
¿Ya te despediste de la abuela?
A2Did you already say goodbye to Grandma?
💡 Grammar Points
Using the Reflexive Form
When you are saying goodbye (the action is focused on yourself), you must use the reflexive form: 'despedirse' (me despido, te despides, etc.). If you are seeing off another person, you use the non-reflexive verb: 'Yo despido a mi amigo' (I see off my friend).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the 'Se'
Mistake: "Quiero despedir de ti."
Correction: Quiero despedirme de ti. (The 'se' is necessary when talking about saying goodbye personally.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Preposition 'De'
When you say goodbye to someone or something, you almost always follow 'despedirse' with the preposition 'de': 'Me despido de mi casa' (I say goodbye to my house).
Despedir can mean "to give off," as when a flower gives off a strong scent.
despedir(verb)
to give off
?smell, light, or heat
,to emit
?smoke or odor
to radiate
?heat or energy
📝 In Action
La chimenea despide mucho humo al principio.
C1The chimney gives off a lot of smoke at the beginning.
Esa flor despide un aroma muy dulce.
B2That flower gives off a very sweet aroma.
💡 Grammar Points
Transitive Use
In this meaning, 'despedir' is used transitively, meaning it needs an object (what is being given off), like 'humo' (smoke) or 'olor' (smell).
⭐ Usage Tips
Context Clues
If the subject is a non-living thing (a fire, a flower, a factory), and the object is a gas or sensation (smoke, heat, smell), 'despedir' means 'to emit' or 'to give off'.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: despedir
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'despedir' in its reflexive form (despedirse)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'despedir' and 'despedirse'?
'Despedir' without the 'se' means 'to fire someone' or 'to see someone off' (you are the one doing the action to another person). 'Despedirse' (with the 'se') means 'to say goodbye' (you are performing the action on yourself). You must use the 'se' when you are personally saying farewell.
Is 'despedir' irregular?
Yes, it is irregular because the 'e' in the middle changes to an 'i' in many tenses, such as the present tense ('yo despido') and the preterite tense for 'él/ella/usted' ('despidió').