Inklingo

How to Say "to eradicate" in Spanish

English → Spanish

erradicar

/eh-rrah-dee-kar//eraðiˈkar/

verbB2general
Use 'erradicar' when you want to express the idea of completely getting rid of something physical or abstract, like a problem, disease, or unwanted element.
A hand pulling a single weed out of a clean, green garden bed by the root.

Examples

El objetivo es erradicar la corrupción del sistema político.

The objective is to eradicate corruption from the political system.

Es necesario erradicar la pobreza extrema en el mundo.

It is necessary to eradicate extreme poverty in the world.

La campaña ayudó a erradicar la enfermedad de la región.

The campaign helped to wipe out the disease from the region.

El director quiere erradicar el acoso escolar de inmediato.

The principal wants to root out school bullying immediately.

The 'C' to 'QU' spelling swap

To keep the hard 'K' sound when saying 'I did' (past tense) or using the 'wishing' forms (subjunctive), the 'c' changes to 'qu' before the letter 'e'. So, you say 'erradiqué' instead of 'erradicé'.

A 'Strong' Verb

Unlike 'quitar' (to take away) or 'limpiar' (to clean), this word implies that you are removing something so completely that it can never grow back.

Spelling 'I eradicated' correctly

Mistake: “Yo erradicé”

Correction: Yo erradiqué (Spanish spelling rules require 'qu' to keep the hard 'k' sound before an 'e').

exterminar

/eks-tehr-mee-NAR//eksteɾmiˈnaɾ/

verbC1general
Choose 'exterminar' when the focus is on completely eliminating or destroying something, often used for pests, enemies, or in contexts implying annihilation.
A bright green healthy plant growing through a small crack in a dark, dry wasteland.

Examples

Intentaron exterminar la plaga de insectos en el campo.

They tried to exterminate the insect plague in the field.

El gobierno busca exterminar el hambre en la región.

The government seeks to eradicate hunger in the region.

Sus palabras exterminaron cualquier rastro de esperanza.

His words stamped out any trace of hope.

Figurative Language

Using 'exterminar' for things like 'poverty' or 'doubt' makes your Spanish sound very poetic or intense. It's much stronger than 'terminar' (to finish).

Erradicar vs. Exterminar

Learners often confuse 'erradicar' and 'exterminar' because both mean to get rid of something. Remember that 'erradicar' is broader and can apply to abstract concepts, while 'exterminar' often implies a more forceful or destructive elimination, commonly used for pests or enemies.

Related Translations

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