Inklingo

How to Say "to dilute" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to dilute” is “diluir” — use 'diluir' when you are making a liquid thinner or weaker by adding another liquid, like water or another solvent, to it..

English → Spanish

diluir

/dee-loo-eer//di.ˈlwir/

verbB1general
Use 'diluir' when you are making a liquid thinner or weaker by adding another liquid, like water or another solvent, to it.
A drop of dark blue liquid falling into a glass of clear water, causing the color to spread and fade.

Examples

Tienes que diluir el jugo con un poco de agua.

You have to dilute the juice with a little bit of water.

Diluye la pintura azul antes de aplicarla en el lienzo.

Thin out the blue paint before applying it to the canvas.

Es importante diluir el desinfectante para no dañar las superficies.

It is important to dilute the disinfectant so as not to damage the surfaces.

The 'Y' Rule

For verbs ending in -uir, whenever the ending starts with an 'o', 'e', or 'a', you must add a 'y'. This helps the word sound smoother.

Using 'con'

Just like in English we dilute something 'with' water, in Spanish we use 'con': 'Diluir con agua'.

Missing the 'Y'

Mistake: “Yo diluo el café.”

Correction: Yo diluyo el café. (Remember to add the 'y' in the present tense for all forms except 'we' and 'you all'.)

rebajar

/re-ba-HAR//reβaˈxaɾ/

verbgeneral
Choose 'rebajar' specifically when thinning liquids like paint or sometimes alcoholic beverages by adding water.
A clear glass of juice being thinned by water being poured into it.

Examples

Tienes que rebajar la pintura con un poco de agua.

You have to thin the paint with a bit of water.

El zumo está muy fuerte, voy a rebajarlo.

The juice is very strong, I'm going to dilute it.

Using 'Con'

When explaining what you are using to dilute something, always use the word 'con' (with), as in 'rebajar con alcohol'.

debilitar

/deh-bee-lee-tahr//deβiliˈtaɾ/

verbB2general
Use 'debilitar' when the meaning is to make something less strong or intense, which can apply to physical substances like light or abstract concepts like an argument.
A candle flame becoming very small and dim.

Examples

Las nubes debilitaron la luz del sol.

The clouds diminished the sunlight.

La falta de inversión está debilitando el sistema educativo.

The lack of investment is weakening the educational system.

Cause and Effect

When used for systems or light, the subject is usually the cause (the clouds, the lack of money).

bautizar

/bau-tee-sar//bau̯tiˈθaɾ/

verbC1informal
Employ 'bautizar' informally and specifically when referring to adding water to alcoholic beverages like wine or milk, implying it's been watered down.
A hand pouring a stream of clear water into a glass of dark red juice to dilute it.

Examples

Este vino está bautizado; casi no sabe a uva.

This wine is watered down; it hardly tastes like grapes.

Passive Adjectives

When used as an adjective (bautizado/bautizada), it must match the gender of the drink. 'Vino bautizado' (masculine) vs 'Leche bautizada' (feminine).

Diluir vs. Rebajar

Learners often confuse 'diluir' and 'rebajar'. While both can mean to thin a liquid with water, 'diluir' is more general, whereas 'rebajar' is often used for specific items like paint or sometimes alcohol, implying a reduction in concentration or quality.

Related Translations

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