prescindir
“prescindir” means “to do without” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
to do without
Also: to dispense with, to disregard
📝 In Action
No puedo prescindir de mi café por la mañana.
A2I can't do without my coffee in the morning.
En este viaje, vamos a prescindir de lujos.
B1On this trip, we are going to do without luxuries.
Prescindieron de los detalles técnicos para que todos entendieran.
C1They left out the technical details so that everyone would understand.
to let go of
Also: to dispense with the services of
📝 In Action
La empresa tuvo que prescindir de diez empleados.
B2The company had to let go of ten employees.
Tuvieron que prescindir de sus servicios tras la crisis.
C1They had to dispense with his services after the crisis.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: prescindir
Question 1 of 3
How do you say 'I can do without sugar' in Spanish?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'praescindere', which literally means 'to cut off in front' (prae- + scindere).
First recorded: 15th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'prescindir' always formal?
It is more formal than saying 'no usar' or 'quitar', but it's very common in daily life when talking about habits or needs (like doing without coffee).
Can I use 'prescindir' for people?
Yes, but be careful! In a personal context, it means you can live without them. In a work context, it means they are being laid off.
What's the difference between 'prescindir' and 'quitar'?
'Quitar' means to physically remove something. 'Prescindir' means the act of choosing to exist or work without that thing.