quitar
/kee-TAHR/
remove
The action of removing an object from a surface illustrates the meaning of 'quitar' as 'remove'.
quitar(verb)
remove
?to take something off a surface or out of a location
,take off
?to detach an object
clear
?to empty a space
,take out
?to extract something
📝 In Action
Quita los libros de la mesa, por favor.
A1Remove the books from the table, please.
¿Puedes quitar la tapa de esta botella?
A1Can you take the lid off this bottle?
La pintura es difícil de quitar.
A2The paint is difficult to remove.
💡 Grammar Points
Direct Removal
Use 'quitar' when you are the one performing the action of removing an object from a place.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Quitar' and 'Sacar'
Mistake: "Using 'sacar' when referring to taking an item off a surface (e.g., *Saca los zapatos de la cama*)."
Correction: Use 'quitar' for removing something *from a surface* or *detaching* something. Use 'sacar' for removing something *from the inside* (like pulling a key out of a lock).
⭐ Usage Tips
Visualizing the Action
Think of 'quitar' as the opposite of 'poner' (to put). If you can put it on, you can 'quitar' it off.
When 'quitar' means 'take away', it implies seizing or confiscating something.
quitar(verb)
take away
?to seize or confiscate something
,deprive (of)
?to deny someone something important
steal
?to take illegally (less common than 'robar')
📝 In Action
El gobierno le quitó la tierra al campesino.
B1The government took the land away from the farmer.
Le quitaron el teléfono en el metro.
B1They stole his phone on the subway.
Esta enfermedad le ha quitado la alegría de vivir.
C1This illness has deprived him of the joy of living.
💡 Grammar Points
Using the 'Le'
When 'quitar' means 'to take something from someone,' you often need the indirect object pronoun ('le' or 'les') to indicate the person being deprived, as in: 'Le quitaron el dinero' (They took the money from him).
⭐ Usage Tips
Deprivation vs. Theft
Use 'quitar' when the removal is due to authority or circumstance. Use 'robar' specifically for the criminal act of robbing a person or place.
Used reflexively, 'quitar' means 'to take off' clothing or accessories.
quitar(verb (reflexive))
to take off (clothing)
?removing clothes or accessories from oneself
,to get rid of
?to eliminate something that bothers you (e.g., pain, habit)
to stop (a habit)
?to quit doing something
📝 In Action
Me quité los zapatos al entrar en casa.
A2I took off my shoes when entering the house.
Necesito quitarme el dolor de cabeza.
B1I need to get rid of this headache.
Por fin se quitó la mala costumbre de fumar.
B2She finally got rid of the bad habit of smoking.
💡 Grammar Points
The Reflexive Change
When you use the reflexive form 'quitarse' (like 'me quito,' 'te quitas'), the action of removing is being done to yourself (e.g., removing a coat from your own body).
Abstract Use
Use 'quitarse' when the thing being removed is abstract, like a feeling or a habit. You are actively removing the problem from your life.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the Pronoun
Mistake: "Saying: *Yo quito el abrigo* (I remove the coat) when you mean: *I take off my coat*."
Correction: When taking off your own clothes, you must include the reflexive pronoun: *Yo me quito el abrigo*.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: quitar
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'quitar' in its reflexive sense (quitarse)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'quitar' used for taking off clothing?
Yes, but you must use the reflexive form, 'quitarse.' For example, 'Me quito la chaqueta' means 'I take off my jacket,' because the action is done to yourself.
How is 'quitar' different from 'remover'?
'Quitar' is the most common verb for basic physical removal, like taking something off a table or taking off clothes. 'Remover' is less common and usually refers to stirring (like food) or relocating something.