Inklingo
Dictionary

quitar

kee-TAHRkiˈtaɾ

“quitar” means “remove” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:

removeA1Verb

to take something off a surface or out of a location

Learn more →
take awayB1Verb

to seize or confiscate something

Learn more →
to take off (clothing)A2

removing clothes or accessories from oneself

Learn more →

remove, take offAlso: clear, take out

VerbA1regular ar
A human hand gently lifting a stack of colorful wooden blocks off a wooden shelf.
infinitivequitar
gerundquitando
past Participlequitado

📝 In Action

Quita los libros de la mesa, por favor.

A1

Remove the books from the table, please.

¿Puedes quitar la tapa de esta botella?

A1

Can you take the lid off this bottle?

La pintura es difícil de quitar.

A2

The paint is difficult to remove.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • quitar el polvo – to dust (remove dust)
  • quitar la basura – to take out the trash

take away, deprive (of)Also: steal

VerbB1regular arneutral/formal
A large, authoritative hand reaching to take a small, tied sack (representing confiscated goods) from a wooden table.

📝 In Action

El gobierno le quitó la tierra al campesino.

B1

The government took the land away from the farmer.

Le quitaron el teléfono en el metro.

B1

They stole his phone on the subway.

Esta enfermedad le ha quitado la alegría de vivir.

C1

This illness has deprived him of the joy of living.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • quitar la vida – to take a life
  • quitar los derechos – to take away rights

to take off (clothing), to get rid ofAlso: to stop (a habit)

A2regular ar
A person partially removing a bright blue sweater, actively pulling it over their head.

📝 In Action

Me quité los zapatos al entrar en casa.

A2

I took off my shoes when entering the house.

Necesito quitarme el dolor de cabeza.

B1

I need to get rid of this headache.

Por fin se quitó la mala costumbre de fumar.

B2

She finally got rid of the bad habit of smoking.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • deshacerse de (to get rid of)
  • dejar (to quit (a habit))

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • quitarse de en medio – to get out of the way
  • quitarse años – to look younger

Indicative

Present

yoquito
túquitas
él/ella/ustedquita
nosotrosquitamos
vosotrosquitáis
ellos/ellas/ustedesquitan

Imperfect

yoquitaba
túquitabas
él/ella/ustedquitaba
nosotrosquitábamos
vosotrosquitabais
ellos/ellas/ustedesquitaban

Preterite

yoquité
túquitaste
él/ella/ustedquitó
nosotrosquitamos
vosotrosquitasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesquitaron

Subjunctive

Present Subjunctive

yoquite
túquites
él/ella/ustedquite
nosotrosquitemos
vosotrosquitéis
ellos/ellas/ustedesquiten

Imperfect Subjunctive

yoquitara
túquitaras
él/ella/ustedquitara
nosotrosquitáramos
vosotrosquitarais
ellos/ellas/ustedesquitaran
View All Tenses & Moods →

🔀 Commonly Confused With

Often confused with eliminarverbs
Often confused with sacarverbs

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "quitar" in Spanish:

clearremovestealtake awaytake offtake out

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: quitar

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'quitar' in its reflexive sense (quitarse)?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
quitaesmalte(nail polish remover) — Noun
quita(a reduction/discount) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes
habitarcantar
📚 Etymology

Comes from the Latin word *quietare*, which originally meant 'to make quiet' or 'to settle,' but evolved over time in Spanish to mean 'to remove' or 'to take away,' likely stemming from the idea of removing something that causes disturbance.

First recorded: 10th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: quitar

💡 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

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.