How to Say "to dispel" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to dispel” is “disipar” — use 'disipar' when you want to express making abstract things like doubts, fears, or rumors go away, often through explanation or reassurance..
disipar
/dee-see-par//disiˈpaɾ/
Examples
Sus palabras disiparon todos mis miedos.
Her words dispelled all my fears.
El director disipó las dudas sobre el futuro de la empresa.
The director cleared up the doubts about the company's future.
Necesito algo de tiempo para disipar mi confusión.
I need some time to clear up my confusion.
Use with plural nouns
We usually use 'disipar' with plural things we want to go away, like 'doubts' or 'fears,' rather than just one tiny concern.
Confusion with 'explicar'
Mistake: “Disipó el problema.”
Correction: Disipó las dudas sobre el problema. Use 'disipar' for the bad feelings or confusion, not the problem itself.
ahuyentar
/ah-wen-TAR//awjenˈtaɾ/
Examples
Sus palabras lograron ahuyentar mis dudas.
His words managed to dispel my doubts.
Necesito música para ahuyentar la tristeza.
I need music to banish the sadness.
La luz del sol ahuyentó las sombras de la habitación.
The sunlight drove away the shadows from the room.
Abstract Objects
Unlike the literal meaning, when using this for emotions (like 'doubts'), you don't need the 'personal a' because they aren't people.
desvanecer
/des-bah-neh-SEHR//desβaneˈser/
Examples
El humo se desvaneció lentamente en el aire.
The smoke faded slowly into the air.
Tus palabras desvanecieron todas mis dudas.
Your words dispelled all my doubts.
Con el tiempo, sus esperanzas se desvanecieron.
Over time, their hopes vanished.
The 'ZC' Change
For this verb, when you talk about yourself in the present ('yo'), the 'c' turns into 'zc' (desvanezco). This also happens in all 'wishes and commands' forms (subjunctive).
Using 'Se' for Fading
When an object fades away on its own (like smoke or a dream), you must use the reflexive form 'desvanecerse'.
Missing the 'Se'
Mistake: “El color desvaneció.”
Correction: El color SE desvaneció. (In Spanish, if the color fades by itself, you need the 'se' to show the action is happening to the subject.)
dispersar
/dees-pair-SAHR//dis.peɾ.ˈsaɾ/
Examples
La policía intervino para dispersar la manifestación.
The police intervened to break up the demonstration.
Sus explicaciones ayudaron a dispersar mis dudas sobre el proyecto.
His explanations helped dispel my doubts about the project.
Abstract usage
You can use this for abstract things like 'doubts' or 'fears'. It implies making them thin out and eventually disappear.
Disipar vs. Ahuyentar
Related Translations
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