Inklingo

How to Say "to clear" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to clear” is “aprobar” — use 'aprobar' when you mean to pass a test, exam, or meet a requirement successfully.

English → Spanish

aprobar

ah-pro-BARapɾoˈbaɾ

verbA1general
Use 'aprobar' when you mean to pass a test, exam, or meet a requirement successfully.
A happy student holding a paper with a large green checkmark.

Examples

¡Aprobé el examen de conducir!

I passed my driving test!

Tienes que estudiar mucho para aprobar matemáticas.

You have to study a lot to pass math.

Si no apruebas el curso, tendrás que repetirlo.

If you don't pass the course, you will have to repeat it.

The Boot Change

This is a 'boot verb,' meaning the 'o' changes to 'ue' in all present forms except for the 'we' (nosotros) and 'you all' (vosotros) forms.

Direct Passing

In Spanish, you pass 'the' exam directly. You don't need a preposition like 'in' or 'at' before the subject name.

Don't use 'pasar' for grades

Mistake: “Pasé el examen.”

Correction: Aprobé el examen. While 'pasar' is sometimes understood, 'aprobar' is the correct academic term for passing a test.

despejar

des-peh-HARdespeˈxaɾ

verbB1general, sports
Use 'despejar' to remove obstacles or people from a specific area, like clearing a street, or in sports to kick a ball away from your goal.
A wooden table being cleared of clutter like books and cups.

Examples

La policía tuvo que despejar la calle para la ambulancia.

The police had to clear the street for the ambulance.

Por favor, despeja la mesa para que podamos comer.

Please, clear off the table so that we can eat.

Despejaron el edificio por una amenaza de bomba.

They cleared the building because of a bomb threat.

Tienes que despejar la 'x' para resolver la ecuación.

You have to solve for 'x' to resolve the equation.

Using 'despejar' vs 'limpiar'

Use 'limpiar' for cleaning dirt or dust, but use 'despejar' when you are moving objects out of the way to create open space.

Don't use 'claro' as a verb

Mistake: “Voy a claro la mesa.”

Correction: Voy a despejar la mesa. (To clear space, you need the verb despejar, not the adjective claro).

liberar

lee-beh-RAHRliβeˈɾaɾ

verbB2technology, general
Use 'liberar' when referring to freeing up digital space, such as disk space or phone memory, by deleting files.
A hand lifting a stack of colorful books off a wooden shelf, creating a large, clear area of empty space.

Examples

Borré muchos archivos para liberar espacio en mi teléfono.

I deleted many files to free up space on my phone.

Si terminamos temprano, podemos liberar tiempo para otras tareas.

If we finish early, we can free up time for other tasks.

Necesitamos liberar la mesa para la próxima reunión.

We need to clear the table for the next meeting.

Using the Infinitive

It is very common to use 'liberar' right after a verb of necessity (like 'necesitar' or 'querer') combined with the preposition 'para' (in order to): 'Quiero liberar espacio.'

salvar

sal-BARsalˈβaɾ

verbB2general
Use 'salvar' when overcoming a physical barrier or obstacle, like a hurdle in a race or a significant challenge.
A small, determined character standing victoriously on the highest peak of a large, jagged mountain obstacle, raising a fist in triumph.

Examples

Tuvo que salvar muchos obstáculos para lograr su sueño.

She had to overcome many obstacles to achieve her dream.

El nuevo puente salva el río, conectando las dos ciudades.

The new bridge crosses (bridges) the river, connecting the two cities.

Salvando las distancias, nuestros problemas son similares.

Bridging the differences (or 'differences aside'), our problems are similar.

desahogar

deh-sah-oh-GARdesa.oˈɣaɾ

verbB2figurative, financial
Use 'desahogar' to describe making things easier or less pressured, often financially, by easing burdens or creating breathing room.
A hand placing a golden coin into an overflowing piggy bank.

Examples

Este dinero extra nos ayudará a desahogar las cuentas un poco.

This extra money will help us ease our bills a bit.

Necesitamos desahogar el tráfico en la avenida principal.

We need to clear the traffic on the main avenue.

Mañana tendré tiempo porque se ha desahogado mi agenda.

I'll have time tomorrow because my schedule has cleared up.

Physical vs. Emotional

When used for space or money, the word usually describes the 'thing' being cleared, whereas emotional venting usually focuses on the 'person'.

Don't confuse with 'desahuciar'

Mistake: “Saying 'desahogar' when you mean to evict someone from a house.”

Correction: Use 'desahuciar' for eviction. 'Desahogar' is about relief, not kicking someone out!

Physical vs. Digital Space

Learners often confuse 'despejar' (clearing a physical space) with 'liberar' (clearing digital space). Remember, if you're moving furniture or people, use 'despejar'. If you're deleting files on a computer or phone, use 'liberar'.

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