Inklingo

How to Say "take out" in Spanish

English → Spanish

saquen

SAH-ken/ˈsa.ken/

verbA2general
Use 'saquen' when instructing someone to physically remove an object from its current place, like taking a sheet of paper from a notebook or an item from a bag.
A child's hand is reaching into a plain wooden storage box and physically lifting a single red toy block out of the container.

Examples

El profesor dijo: 'Saquen una hoja de papel'.

The teacher said: 'Take out a sheet of paper'.

Les pido que saquen la basura antes de salir.

I ask that you (all) take out the trash before leaving.

Es urgente que saquen el dinero de esa cuenta.

It is urgent that they withdraw the money from that account.

Dual Role of 'Saquen'

'Saquen' is used both as a formal command directed at a group ('ustedes') and as the special form needed after expressions of wishing, necessity, or doubt (the subjunctive mood).

The C to QU Spelling Change

The base verb 'sacar' ends in 'c'. To keep the 'k' sound when followed by 'e' (which happens in this form), the 'c' changes to 'qu'. This is a very common spelling rule for verbs ending in -car.

Forgetting the Spelling Change

Mistake: “Using 'sace' or 'sacen' instead of 'saquen'.”

Correction: Always use the 'qu' when the verb 'sacar' is conjugated in the subjunctive or formal command forms: 'Saquen los libros'.

quitar

kee-TAHR/kiˈtaɾ/

verbA1general
Use 'quitar' when you mean to remove, extract, or take something away from a person, place, or surface, often implying taking possession of it.
A human hand gently lifting a stack of colorful wooden blocks off a wooden shelf.

Examples

Quita los libros de la mesa, por favor.

Remove the books from the table, please.

¿Puedes quitar la tapa de esta botella?

Can you take the lid off this bottle?

La pintura es difícil de quitar.

The paint is difficult to remove.

Direct Removal

Use 'quitar' when you are the one performing the action of removing an object from a place.

Confusing 'Quitar' and 'Sacar'

Mistake: “Using 'sacar' when referring to taking an item off a surface (e.g., *Saca los zapatos de la cama*).”

Correction: Use 'quitar' for removing something *from a surface* or *detaching* something. Use 'sacar' for removing something *from the inside* (like pulling a key out of a lock).

Physical Removal vs. General Extraction

Learners often confuse 'saquen' and 'quitar' because both involve removal. Remember that 'saquen' is typically for taking an item out of a larger group or container (like paper from a stack), while 'quitar' is more about general removal from a surface or possession.

Related Translations

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