Inklingo

emitir

eh-mee-TEER/e.mi.'tiɾ/

emitir means to broadcast in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to broadcast, to emit

Also: to transmit, to give off
VerbB1regular ir
A colorful illustration of a tall radio tower standing on a hill, sending out bright, pulsing signal waves into the sky.
gerundemitiendo
past Participleemitido
infinitiveemitir

📝 In Action

La radio emite música clásica por la noche.

A2

The radio station broadcasts classical music at night.

Ese radiador emite mucho calor.

B1

That radiator gives off a lot of heat.

Las antenas emiten señales de satélite.

B2

The antennas transmit satellite signals.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • emitir en directoto broadcast live
  • emitir luzto emit light

to issue, to cast

Also: to express, to utter
VerbB2regular irformal
A colorful illustration of a printing press producing fresh, crisp paper bills that are sliding into a neat stack.
gerundemitiendo
past Participleemitido
infinitiveemitir

📝 In Action

El gobierno emitió un comunicado oficial.

B1

The government issued an official statement.

Es hora de emitir su voto.

B1

It is time to cast your vote.

El banco va a emitir nuevas tarjetas de crédito.

B2

The bank is going to issue new credit cards.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • emitir un vototo cast a vote
  • emitir una opiniónto voice/express an opinion
  • emitir un chequeto issue a check

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesemitieran
yoemitiera
emitieras
vosotrosemitierais
nosotrosemitiéramos
él/ella/ustedemitiera

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesemitan
yoemita
emitas
vosotrosemitáis
nosotrosemitamos
él/ella/ustedemita

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesemitieron
yoemití
emitiste
vosotrosemitisteis
nosotrosemitimos
él/ella/ustedemitió

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesemitían
yoemitía
emitías
vosotrosemitíais
nosotrosemitíamos
él/ella/ustedemitía

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesemiten
yoemito
emites
vosotrosemitís
nosotrosemitimos
él/ella/ustedemite

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: emitir

Question 1 of 3

If you are watching a live football match on TV, the station is ________ the game.

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
🎵 Rhymes
📚 Etymology

From the Latin 'emittere', which combines 'ex-' (out) and 'mittere' (to send). Literally, it means 'to send out'.

First recorded: 15th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: emitFrench: émettre

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'emitir' and 'transmitir'?

They are very similar! 'Emitir' usually refers to the source starting the signal (like the radio station itself), while 'transmitir' can also refer to the signal passing through things.

Can 'emitir' be used for smells?

Yes! You can say 'la flor emite un perfume' (the flower gives off a scent).

Is 'emitir' used for passports?

Yes, an office 'emite un pasaporte' when they issue it to you officially.