eliminar
/eh-lee-mee-NAR/
eliminate
'Eliminar' means to remove something completely.
eliminar(verb)
eliminate
?to remove completely
,remove
?to take something away
get rid of
?informal removal
,rule out
?possibility or suspect
📝 In Action
Tenemos que eliminar toda la basura antes de que lleguen los invitados.
A2We have to remove all the trash before the guests arrive.
El médico quiere eliminar el azúcar de mi dieta por completo.
B1The doctor wants to eliminate sugar from my diet completely.
Es difícil eliminar el ruido de la calle en esta oficina.
B2It is difficult to get rid of the street noise in this office.
💡 Grammar Points
Direct Object Placement
When using 'eliminar' with a pronoun (like 'it' or 'them'), the pronoun usually goes immediately before the conjugated verb: 'Lo eliminamos' (We eliminate it).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'eliminar' for 'throw away'
Mistake: "Voy a eliminar la basura."
Correction: Voy a tirar la basura. ('Eliminar' is formal; 'tirar' or 'botar' are more common for simple trash.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Tone
While common, 'eliminar' often sounds more formal or technical than simpler verbs like 'quitar' (to take away) or 'sacar' (to take out).
In sports, 'eliminar' means to knock an opponent out of the competition.
eliminar(verb)
knock out
?sports competition
,eliminate
?competition
disqualify
?formal competition ruling
📝 In Action
El equipo fue eliminado en la primera ronda del torneo.
B1The team was knocked out in the first round of the tournament.
Si perdemos este partido, nos eliminan de la liga.
B1If we lose this game, they eliminate us from the league.
💡 Grammar Points
Passive Voice in Sports
In sports, 'eliminar' is often used in the passive form ('fue eliminado' or 'ha sido eliminado') to describe a team or player losing and being removed from the running.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Key
When you hear 'eliminar' in the news, especially with a team name, it almost always refers to them losing a crucial game and exiting the competition.
When referring to digital information, 'eliminar' means to delete.
eliminar(verb)
delete
?computer files, text
,erase
?data
cancel
?an account or subscription
📝 In Action
Por favor, elimina ese archivo de tu computadora, es demasiado viejo.
B1Please, delete that file from your computer, it is too old.
Tu cuenta de usuario será eliminada si no la usas en seis meses.
B2Your user account will be deleted if you don't use it in six months.
💡 Grammar Points
Using the Reflexive
To say something 'got deleted' or 'was deleted' without saying who did it, Spanish often uses the reflexive form: 'Se eliminó la foto' (The photo was deleted).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Overusing 'Eliminar'
Mistake: "Quiero eliminar este error en mi texto."
Correction: Quiero borrar/corregir este error en mi texto. ('Borrar' is more natural for erasing small mistakes.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Tech Default
On digital interfaces, 'Eliminar' is the standard button label for 'Delete'.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: eliminar
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'eliminar' in the sense of 'knocking out' a competitor?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'eliminar' used for people?
Yes, but usually in a formal sense: either in competition (eliminating a player) or figuratively (eliminating a suspect from a list). For physically getting rid of a person, Spanish uses different, stronger verbs.
What is the difference between 'eliminar' and 'borrar'?
Both mean 'to delete' or 'to erase,' but 'borrar' is typically used for small things like ink, pencil marks, or text on a screen. 'Eliminar' is generally more formal and refers to the complete removal of a larger item, like a file, an account, or a problem.