suelta
“suelta” means “releases” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
releases, lets goAlso: Let go!, drops
📝 In Action
Mi hermana suelta a su gato solo los fines de semana.
A2My sister releases her cat only on the weekends.
¡Suelta el juguete, es mío!
A1Let go of the toy, it's mine!
Cuando ella habla, suelta frases muy sabias.
B1When she speaks, she lets out very wise phrases (figurative).
Word Connections
changeAlso: loose change
📝 In Action
¿Me puede dar la suelta en monedas de un euro?
B1Can you give me the change in one-euro coins?
Perdí mi cartera, pero solo tenía un poco de suelta.
B1I lost my wallet, but it only had a little loose change.
Word Connections
looseAlso: free, easygoing
📝 In Action
La ropa de verano siempre es más suelta.
B1Summer clothes are always looser.
Mi perra estaba suelta en el jardín.
A2My female dog was loose (unleashed) in the garden.
Me gusta la actitud suelta de la gente de aquí.
B2I like the free/easygoing attitude of the people here.
Word Connections
Indicative
Present
Imperfect
Preterite
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: suelta
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'suelta' as a noun (meaning money)?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family
📚 Etymology
The word 'suelta' comes from the verb 'soltar', which itself evolved from the Latin verb *solutāre*, meaning 'to loosen' or 'to unbind'. The idea of 'loose change' (the noun) comes directly from the adjective meaning 'unbound' or 'free'.
First recorded: 13th century (as soltar)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'suelta' (noun) and 'cambio' (noun)?
'Cambio' is the general word for change, both the money you receive back and the act of changing something. 'Suelta' specifically refers to the small coins or bills you carry loose in your pocket or purse, often implying small denominations.
How do I know if 'suelta' means 'loose' (adjective) or 'releases' (verb)?
If it follows a form of the verb 'estar' or 'ser' (like 'está suelta'), it is describing a state or quality (adjective). If it follows a person or thing doing an action (like 'El niño suelta el globo'), it is the verb 'to release'.