soltar
/sohl-TAHR/
to let go
Soltar: to let go (releasing grip).
soltar(verb)
to let go
?releasing grip
,to drop
?accidental release
,to release
?setting free
to unfasten
?a seatbelt, knot
📝 In Action
Solté el globo por accidente y voló muy alto.
A2I accidentally let go of the balloon and it flew very high.
El policía soltó al detenido porque no había pruebas.
B1The police officer released the detainee because there was no evidence.
💡 Grammar Points
Stem-Change Alert
In the present tense, the 'o' in the root changes to 'ue' (soltar -> suelto), except for the 'nosotros' and 'vosotros' forms.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Physical vs. Emotional Release
Mistake: "Using 'dejar' when you mean 'soltar' (physical grip)."
Correction: 'Dejar' means 'to leave' or 'to allow.' Use 'soltar' for dropping or releasing a physical object.
⭐ Usage Tips
Quick Release
Use '¡Suelta!' (Let go!) as a quick, informal command when someone needs to drop something immediately.
Soltar: to blurt out (saying something suddenly).
soltar(verb)
to blurt out
?saying something suddenly
,to let out
?a sound or emotion
to utter
?formal speech
📝 In Action
No pude evitarlo, solté una risa en medio de la reunión.
B1I couldn't help it, I let out a laugh in the middle of the meeting.
Antes de irse, soltó un comentario muy hiriente.
B2Before leaving, he blurted out a very hurtful comment.
💡 Grammar Points
Figurative Use
When used with words like 'risa' (laugh) or 'lágrima' (tear), 'soltar' means the sound or feeling 'escaped' or was expressed suddenly.
Soltar: to loosen (making something less tight).
soltar(verb)
to loosen
?making something less tight
,to untie
?knots or bindings
to discharge
?water/liquid
📝 In Action
Necesitas soltar la tuerca un poco para que encaje.
B2You need to loosen the nut a bit so it fits.
Cuando llueve mucho, la presa suelta el exceso de agua.
C1When it rains a lot, the dam discharges the excess water.
Soltar: to let oneself go (relaxing).
soltar(verb)
to let oneself go
?relaxing
,to loosen up
?become less inhibited
to get the hang of it
?becoming fluent or skilled
📝 In Action
Al principio era tímida, pero después de un rato se soltó y empezó a bailar.
B2At first she was shy, but after a while she loosened up and started dancing.
Necesito practicar más para soltarme hablando inglés.
C1I need to practice more to get comfortable/fluent speaking English.
💡 Grammar Points
The Reflexive Use
When you add '-se' (soltarse), the action is directed back at the subject. It means you are releasing yourself from tension, shyness, or awkwardness.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the Reflexive Pronoun
Mistake: "Saying 'Yo solté en la fiesta' (I released at the party)."
Correction: You must include 'me': 'Yo me solté en la fiesta' (I let loose at the party). The pronoun is necessary to show the action is about relaxing yourself.
⭐ Usage Tips
Language Fluency
Use 'soltarse' when talking about achieving comfort in a new skill, especially speaking a language: 'Ya me solté con el español' (I'm now comfortable with Spanish).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: soltar
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'soltar' in the reflexive sense (soltarse)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How is 'soltar' different from 'dejar'?
'Soltar' specifically means to release something you are holding, or to drop it (like letting go of a rope). 'Dejar' is broader; it means 'to leave,' 'to allow,' or 'to abandon' (like leaving your keys on the table).
Can 'soltar' be used for emotional release?
Yes! While it often describes physical release, it's very common for sudden emotional expressions, like 'soltar una lágrima' (to shed a tear) or 'soltar un grito' (to let out a scream).