Inklingo

How to Say "to dissolve" in Spanish

English → Spanish

deshacerse

/dess-ah-SEHR-seh//desaˈseɾse/

verbA2general
Use 'deshacerse' when talking about solid substances like sugar, salt, or ice cream breaking down and mixing into a liquid, often due to heat or melting.
A clear ice cube sitting on a surface, visibly dripping and forming a puddle of water as it melts.

Examples

El helado se deshizo rápidamente bajo el sol.

The ice cream melted quickly under the sun.

La vieja tela se deshacía al tocarla.

The old fabric was falling apart just by touching it.

La pastilla se deshace en el agua caliente.

The pill dissolves in the hot water.

Passive Action

In this meaning, 'deshacerse' describes a change of state that happens to the subject itself (like the ice cream melting). The reflexive pronoun 'se' shows that the action is contained within the subject.

deshacer

/des-ah-SEHR//desaˈθeɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'deshacer' when referring to a solid, like ice, breaking down and disappearing into a liquid, often implying a more complete disappearance or melting process.
An ice cube sitting on a wooden table turning into a small puddle of water.

Examples

El hielo se deshizo rápidamente bajo el sol.

The ice melted quickly under the sun.

Tienes que deshacer la pastilla en un vaso de agua.

You have to dissolve the pill in a glass of water.

Using 'se'

When something melts on its own (like ice), we add 'se' to the verb: 'El hielo se deshace'.

Deshacer vs. Deshacerse

Learners often confuse 'deshacer' and 'deshacerse' when talking about things melting. While both can be used for solids becoming liquid, 'deshacerse' is more common for edible items like ice cream or sugar dissolving, whereas 'deshacer' can imply a more general breakdown or disappearance, like ice melting completely.

Related Translations

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