Inklingo

How to Say "come out" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “come out” is “salido” — use this when referring to something that has departed from a place, like a vehicle leaving a station, or a person leaving a location..

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salido

/sah-LEE-doh//saˈliðo/

Past ParticipleA1General
Use this when referring to something that has departed from a place, like a vehicle leaving a station, or a person leaving a location.
An open wooden cottage door viewed from the inside, showing an empty, sunlit path leading away from the doorway into a bright green field, symbolizing departure.

Examples

El tren ya ha salido de la estación.

The train has already left the station.

No sé cómo ha salido este resultado.

I don't know how this result has come out.

Forming Perfect Tenses

Use 'salido' with a form of the verb 'haber' (like 'he,' 'has,' 'ha') to talk about actions completed in the past: 'Ella ha salido' (She has left).

Mixing Past Tenses

Mistake: “No está salido.”

Correction: Ha salido. (The verb 'salir' typically uses 'haber' to form compound tenses, not 'estar'.)

salga

SAHL-gah/ˈsal.ɣa/

Verb (Conjugated Form)B1General
This form is used when you want someone to exit a place or to express a desire for a product or result to emerge.
A storybook illustration of a person stepping outside through an open door, symbolizing leaving.

Examples

Quiero que mi hermano salga de ese club.

I want my brother to leave that club.

Ojalá que el sol salga mañana.

Hopefully the sun comes out tomorrow.

Por favor, Señor, salga de la oficina inmediatamente.

Please, Sir, leave the office immediately.

The 'Wish' or 'Doubt' Form

Use 'salga' when you are expressing a wish, desire, command, or doubt about someone else leaving. This is the special verb form required after phrases like 'Espero que...' (I hope that...).

Formal Commands

If you are giving a polite, formal command to 'usted' (you, formal singular), you use 'salga' (e.g., 'Salga ahora, por favor'). For negative formal commands, you also use 'no salga'.

Mixing Moods

Mistake: “Quiero que él sale.”

Correction: Quiero que él salga.

salgan

SAHL-gahn/ˈsal.ɣan/

Verb FormB2General
Use this when talking about something being published, manufactured, or when you hope for a positive outcome or result.
A single, vibrant red rose perfectly blooming on a green stem in rich brown soil, symbolizing a successful result.

Examples

Ojalá que los resultados del examen salgan bien.

Hopefully the exam results turn out well.

Dudo que sus nuevos productos salgan a tiempo para Navidad.

I doubt that their new products will come out in time for Christmas.

Subjunctive for Doubt/Hope

When 'salir' means 'to turn out,' it is almost always used with the subjunctive ('salgan') because the speaker is expressing hope, doubt, or uncertainty about the final outcome.

declarar

deh-klah-RAHR/de.klaˈɾaɾ/

VerbB2General
This translates 'come out' when someone is revealing their identity, orientation, or making a public statement about themselves.
A cheerful character stands with both arms spread wide open, looking forward with a determined and happy expression, signifying stating one's position.

Examples

Finalmente se declaró a su mejor amiga en la fiesta.

He finally declared himself to his best friend at the party.

Los trabajadores se declararon en huelga por los bajos salarios.

The workers declared a strike (declared themselves in strike) due to low wages.

The 'Se' Ending

When 'declarar' adds 'se' (declararse), the action reflects back onto the subject. It means the person is declaring their own internal state or commitment, like declaring love or declaring a strike.

Declararse A Alguien

To propose marriage or declare love, you must use the preposition 'a' followed by the person: 'Me declaré a ella' (I proposed to her).

Confusing 'salga/salgan' with 'declarar'

Learners often confuse the 'salga/salgan' forms (related to exiting or results appearing) with 'declarar' (to reveal or state something about oneself). Remember that 'salga/salgan' are about movement or outcomes, while 'declarar' is about personal revelation.

Related Translations

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