How to Say "to deprive" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to deprive” is “privar” — use 'privar' when referring to the legal or formal taking away of a right, privilege, or something abstract from someone..
privar
/pree-BAR//pɾiˈβaɾ/
Examples
La ley no puede privar a los ciudadanos de sus derechos.
The law cannot deprive citizens of their rights.
No te prives de comer un postre de vez en cuando.
Don't deprive yourself of having dessert every now and then.
El ruido me privó del sueño anoche.
The noise stripped me of my sleep last night.
Using 'de' after the verb
When you want to say WHAT you are taking away from someone, you must use the word 'de' before the thing. For example: 'privar DE comida' (to deprive OF food).
Missing the 'de'
Mistake: “Me privaron mi teléfono.”
Correction: Me privaron de mi teléfono. (You must use 'de' to link the action to the object being taken away.)
despojar
/des-po-HAR//despoˈxaɾ/
Examples
El dictador decidió despojar al pueblo de sus derechos básicos.
The dictator decided to strip the people of their basic rights.
Fue despojado de todas sus pertenencias durante el asalto.
He was stripped of all his belongings during the robbery.
La ley no puede despojar a un ciudadano de su nacionalidad.
The law cannot deprive a citizen of their nationality.
Using the word 'de'
In Spanish, when you want to say WHAT was taken away, you must follow this verb with the word 'de'. For example, 'lo despojaron DE su reloj' (they stripped him OF his watch).
Focus on the Person
This verb focuses on the person who loses something. The person receiving the action is the main focus, while the object taken is introduced by 'de'.
Forgetting the 'de'
Mistake: “Despojar su dinero.”
Correction: Despojarlo DE su dinero. You need the 'de' to link the action to the item being taken.
Privar vs. Despojar
Related Translations
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