Inklingo

How to Say "released" in Spanish

English → Spanish

liberado

lee-beh-RAH-doh/li.βeˈɾa.ðo/

adjectiveB1general
Use 'liberado' when referring to someone or something being set free from confinement, captivity, or an obligation.
A small, brightly colored bird flying out of a simple open cage and soaring into a clear blue sky.

Examples

El rehén fue liberado después de las negociaciones.

The hostage was freed after the negotiations.

Ella se sentía liberada de sus viejas responsabilidades.

She felt released from her old responsibilities.

Hemos liberado espacio en el disco duro.

We have freed up space on the hard drive.

Gender and Number Agreement

As an adjective, 'liberado' must match the person or thing it describes: 'El niño liberado' (m. singular), 'La niña liberada' (f. singular), 'Los niños liberados' (m. plural), 'Las niñas liberadas' (f. plural).

Used with 'Estar' or 'Ser'

Use 'ser' (es liberado) to describe the action of being freed, or 'estar' (está liberado) to describe the resulting state of being free.

Confusing Adjective vs. Action

Mistake: “Using 'ser' when describing a temporary state, e.g., 'El disco es liberado' (The disk is freed [permanently]).”

Correction: Use 'estar' for a current, resulting state: 'El disco está liberado' (The disk is now free of files).

publicado

/poo-blee-KAH-doh//puβliˈkaðo/

adjectiveA2general
Use 'publicado' when referring to something, like a book, report, or news, that has been made available to the public.
A brand new, colorful book sitting prominently on a wooden shelf in a bookstore.

Examples

El libro ya está publicado en Amazon.

The book is already published on Amazon.

He visto tu comentario publicado en el blog.

I have seen your comment posted on the blog.

Matching the Noun

Since this word is acting as a descriptor, it must match what it describes. Use 'publicado' for masculine items (un libro) and 'publicada' for feminine items (una revista).

Published vs. Public

Mistake: “Using 'publicado' to mean 'the general public'.”

Correction: Use 'el público' for the people, and 'publicado' only to describe something that has been printed or released.

Liberado vs. Publicado

The most common mistake is using 'publicado' when something is freed from prison or obligation. Remember, 'liberado' means set free, while 'publicado' means made public or issued.

Related Translations

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