renunciar
/reh-noon-see-AR/
resign
When you renunciar (resign), you formally step down from a job or position.
renunciar(verb)
resign
?from a job or position
,quit
?a job
step down
?from a leadership role
📝 In Action
Ella renunció a su trabajo para viajar por el mundo.
B1She resigned from her job to travel the world.
Si no estás feliz, debes renunciar a ese puesto.
A2If you are not happy, you should quit that post.
El director ha decidido renunciar a la presidencia.
B2The director has decided to step down from the presidency.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'A' Connection
When you specify what you are quitting, 'renunciar' almost always needs the little word 'a' (to/from) right before the thing you are giving up: 'Renunciar al trabajo' (Quit the job).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the Preposition
Mistake: "Voy a renunciar el trabajo."
Correction: Voy a renunciar *al* trabajo. (Remember 'al' is 'a' + 'el'.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Tone
'Renunciar' is usually used for formal roles, jobs, or positions. For quitting habits or simple activities, 'dejar' is often more common.
To renunciar can also mean to give up a claim, right, or idea.
renunciar(verb)
give up
?a claim or idea
,waive
?a right or privilege
,renounce
?a belief or affiliation
abandon
?a goal or desire
📝 In Action
El acusado renunció a su derecho de guardar silencio.
B2The accused waived his right to remain silent.
Nunca renunciaré a mis sueños, por difíciles que sean.
B1I will never give up my dreams, no matter how difficult they are.
Tuvo que renunciar a la herencia para evitar problemas legales.
C1He had to renounce the inheritance to avoid legal problems.
💡 Grammar Points
Giving Up Actions
If you are giving up an action (a verb), you must use 'renunciar a' followed by the base form of the verb (the infinitive): 'Renunció a seguir estudiando' (He gave up continuing to study).
⭐ Usage Tips
Strong Commitment
Using 'renunciar' shows a strong, often permanent decision to abandon something important, whether it's a job, a principle, or a legal claim.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: renunciar
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'renunciar' in the context of a job?
📚 More Resources
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).