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renunciar

reh-noon-see-ARrenunˈsjaɾ

“renunciar” means “resign” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

resign, quit

Also: step down
VerbB1regular ar
A person in professional attire dropping a large, ceremonial key into a return box near an office door, symbolizing resignation from a position.
infinitiverenunciar
gerundrenunciando
past Participlerenunciado

📝 In Action

Ella renunció a su trabajo para viajar por el mundo.

B1

She resigned from her job to travel the world.

Si no estás feliz, debes renunciar a ese puesto.

A2

If you are not happy, you should quit that post.

El director ha decidido renunciar a la presidencia.

B2

The director has decided to step down from the presidency.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • renunciar al cargo – to resign from the post/position
  • carta de renuncia – resignation letter

give up, waive, renounce

Also: abandon
VerbB2regular arneutral/formal
A close-up shot of a hand opening and releasing a small, golden, shining trophy, symbolizing giving up a claim or goal.
infinitiverenunciar
gerundrenunciando
past Participlerenunciado

📝 In Action

El acusado renunció a su derecho de guardar silencio.

B2

The accused waived his right to remain silent.

Nunca renunciaré a mis sueños, por difíciles que sean.

B1

I will never give up my dreams, no matter how difficult they are.

Tuvo que renunciar a la herencia para evitar problemas legales.

C1

He had to renounce the inheritance to avoid legal problems.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • renunciar a los derechos – to waive one's rights
  • renunciar a una idea – to give up an idea

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedrenuncia
yorenuncio
túrenuncias
ellos/ellas/ustedesrenuncian
nosotrosrenunciamos
vosotrosrenunciáis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedrenunciaba
yorenunciaba
túrenunciabas
ellos/ellas/ustedesrenunciaban
nosotrosrenunciábamos
vosotrosrenunciabais

preterite

él/ella/ustedrenunció
yorenuncié
túrenunciaste
ellos/ellas/ustedesrenunciaron
nosotrosrenunciamos
vosotrosrenunciasteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedrenuncie
yorenuncie
túrenuncies
ellos/ellas/ustedesrenuncien
nosotrosrenunciemos
vosotrosrenunciéis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedrenunciara / renunciase
yorenunciara / renunciase
túrenunciaras / renunciases
ellos/ellas/ustedesrenunciaran / renunciasen
nosotrosrenunciáramos / renunciásemos
vosotrosrenunciarais / renunciaseis
View All Tenses & Moods →

🔀 Commonly Confused With

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "renunciar" in Spanish:

abandon→give up→quit→renounce→step down→waive→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: renunciar

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'renunciar' in the context of a job?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
renuncia(resignation; waiver) — Noun
irrenunciable(inalienable (cannot be given up)) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the Latin word *renuntiare*, which is formed by the prefix *re-* (meaning 'back' or 'again') and *nuntiare* (meaning 'to report' or 'to announce'). So, its original meaning was 'to report back' or 'to formally declare one's withdrawal.'

First recorded: Medieval Latin

Cognates (Related words)

English: renounceFrench: renoncer

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'renunciar' the same as 'dejar'?

Not exactly. 'Renunciar' is stronger and generally used for formal decisions like leaving a job, waiving a right, or giving up an important belief. 'Dejar' is more general and can mean 'to leave,' 'to quit,' or 'to allow' (e.g., 'dejar de fumar' - to quit smoking).

How do I say 'resignation' as a noun?

The noun form is 'la renuncia.' You would say 'Presentó su renuncia' (He presented his resignation).