quítate
KEE-tah-teh
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
¡Quítate de la puerta, por favor!
A2Get away from the door, please!
Quítate esa gorra; no se permiten sombreros aquí.
B1Take that cap off; hats are not allowed here.
El coche viene rápido. ¡Quítate!
A2The car is coming fast. Move!
💡 Grammar Points
Command + Pronoun Rule
'Quítate' is a command made of two pieces: 'Quita' (the informal command to remove/take away) and 'te' (the pronoun 'yourself'). When you give a positive command, the pronoun always sticks to the end of the verb.
Adding an Accent Mark
When you attach a pronoun to the command form, you often have to add an accent mark (tílde) to keep the stress on the original syllable. The stress falls on the 'í' in 'quítate'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Incorrect Pronoun Placement
Mistake: "Te quita."
Correction: Quítate. The pronoun 'te' must attach to the end of the positive command. 'Te quita' means 'He/She removes you.'
Using the Formal Command
Mistake: "Quítase."
Correction: Quítese. 'Quítate' is only for 'tú' (informal you). If you need to be formal or address an authority figure, you must use 'Quítese'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Keep it Informal
Since 'quítate' uses the 'tú' form, only use it with friends, family, or people younger than you. Using it with strangers or superiors can sound rude or overly familiar.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: quítate
Question 1 of 2
Which of these is the most appropriate translation for '¡Quítate!' in a crowded market?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'quítate' have an accent mark?
The accent mark is necessary because when you attach the pronoun 'te' to the two-syllable command 'quita,' the stress naturally tries to shift to the last syllable. Spanish rules require the stress to remain on the original first syllable ('quí-'), so the accent mark forces the pronunciation to stay correct.
Is 'quítate' always rude?
'Quítate' is direct, but not necessarily rude. It's often used urgently in traffic or playfully among friends. However, always use the formal 'Quítese' or a softer phrase like 'Perdón, ¿me permite pasar?' (Excuse me, may I pass?) when speaking to strangers.