limitar
“limitar” means “to limit” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
to limit
Also: to restrict, to reduce
📝 In Action
Debes limitar el consumo de azúcar.
A2You should limit your sugar intake.
El director decidió limitar el presupuesto del proyecto.
B1The director decided to restrict the project's budget.
Las nuevas leyes van a limitar la libertad de prensa.
B2The new laws are going to limit freedom of the press.
to border
Also: to be adjacent to
📝 In Action
Chile limita con Argentina al este.
B1Chile borders Argentina to the east.
Nuestra propiedad limita con un bosque nacional.
B1Our property borders a national forest.
El mar Mediterráneo limita con tres continentes.
B2The Mediterranean Sea borders three continents.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: limitar
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence correctly says 'France borders Spain'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin verb 'limitare', which comes from 'limes', meaning a boundary, path, or track between fields.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
💡 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's the difference between 'limitar' and 'restringir'?
'Limitar' is more general and often refers to setting a boundary or amount. 'Restringir' is a bit more formal and usually implies taking away a freedom or making access harder.
Is 'limitar' always regular?
Yes! 'Limitar' follows all the normal rules for -ar verbs in every tense.
When do I use 'limitarse'?
You use 'limitarse a' when you want to say someone 'just did' or 'confined themselves to' one specific action, like 'He just smiled' (Se limitó a sonreír).