Inklingo

How to Say "removal" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word forremovalis eliminaciónuse 'eliminación' when referring to the act of getting rid of something, whether it's a physical object or an abstract concept like data.

eliminaciónA2

Use 'eliminación' when referring to the act of getting rid of something, whether it's a physical object or an abstract concept like data.

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supresiónB2

Choose 'supresión' when the focus is on taking something away, especially to eliminate a negative or unwanted element like noise or a political act.

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expulsiónB1

Use 'expulsión' when talking about the forced removal or expulsion of a person from a group, place, or organization due to misbehavior or other reasons.

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extracciónB1

Opt for 'extracción' when the removal involves physically taking something out from within a larger mass or from a specific location, like a medical procedure.

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levantamiento🔊C1

Use 'levantamiento' in specific formal or legal contexts, such as the removal of a body from a crime scene or the lifting of a judicial order.

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quite🔊C1

Use 'quite' to describe the act of taking something away, often implying that it was done without difficulty or hindrance, or to refer to a removal in a game.

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English → Spanish

eliminación

nounA2general
Use 'eliminación' when referring to the act of getting rid of something, whether it's a physical object or an abstract concept like data.

Examples

La eliminación de los archivos es permanente.

The deletion of the files is permanent.

supresión

nounB2general
Choose 'supresión' when the focus is on taking something away, especially to eliminate a negative or unwanted element like noise or a political act.

Examples

La supresión del ruido es importante para concentrarse.

The removal of noise is important for concentrating.

expulsión

nounB1general
Use 'expulsión' when talking about the forced removal or expulsion of a person from a group, place, or organization due to misbehavior or other reasons.

Examples

La expulsión del alumno fue por mal comportamiento.

The student's expulsion was due to bad behavior.

extracción

nounB1general
Opt for 'extracción' when the removal involves physically taking something out from within a larger mass or from a specific location, like a medical procedure.

Examples

Mañana tengo una extracción de sangre en el hospital.

Tomorrow I have a blood draw at the hospital.

levantamiento

le-vahn-tah-myehn-tohleβantaˈmjento

nounC1formal/legal
Use 'levantamiento' in specific formal or legal contexts, such as the removal of a body from a crime scene or the lifting of a judicial order.
A heavy metal chain with a large padlock that has been opened and pulled apart.

Examples

El juez ordenó el levantamiento del secreto de sumario.

The judge ordered the lifting of the judicial secrecy.

Están realizando un levantamiento topográfico del terreno.

They are carrying out a topographical survey of the land.

El levantamiento del cadáver se produjo a medianoche.

The removal of the body took place at midnight.

Formal Contexts

In legal Spanish, 'levantamiento' often means 'taking away' a rule or restriction.

Body Removal

Mistake:Using 'quitar el cuerpo' in a formal report.

Correction: The professional term in Spanish for a crime scene is always 'levantamiento del cadáver'.

quite

kee-tehˈkite

nounC1general/informal
Use 'quite' to describe the act of taking something away, often implying that it was done without difficulty or hindrance, or to refer to a removal in a game.
A clear wooden peg hovering slightly above the empty round hole it was removed from on a simple wooden board, representing the act of removal.

Examples

Lo logró sin quite, a pesar de las dificultades.

He achieved it without hindrance/easily, despite the difficulties.

El quite de las barreras permitió el paso libre.

The removal of the barriers allowed free passage.

Fixed Phrase Usage

As a noun, 'quite' is rarely used alone. Focus on learning the phrase 'sin quite,' which means 'without any problem' or 'easily.'

General vs. Specific Removal

Learners often confuse 'eliminación' and 'supresión' with more specific terms. While 'eliminación' is a good general term for getting rid of things, remember to use 'expulsión' for people, 'extracción' for physical removal from a place, and 'levantamiento' for specific contexts like legal orders.

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