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How to Say "to exempt" in Spanish

English → Spanish

liberar

lee-beh-RAHRliβeˈɾaɾ

verbA2general
Use 'liberar' when someone is freed from an obligation, duty, or confinement, often due to a lack of necessity or evidence.
A small blue bird flying happily out of an open, simple wooden cage, symbolizing freedom.

Examples

El juez ordenó liberar al acusado por falta de pruebas.

The judge ordered the accused to be freed due to lack of evidence.

Quiero liberar a mi perro de la correa para que corra.

I want to free my dog from the leash so he can run.

La organización trabaja para liberar a los animales de granjas industriales.

The organization works to free animals from factory farms.

Regular -AR Verb

Like many common Spanish verbs, 'liberar' follows the standard pattern for verbs ending in -ar. Just remove the '-ar' and add the standard endings for the tense you need.

Confusing 'liberar' and 'dejar'

Mistake: “Usar 'dejar' cuando se refiere a liberar de una atadura o prisión (e.g., 'Dejé al prisionero').”

Correction: Use 'liberar' when the action involves setting someone or something completely free from constraint or capture. Use 'dejar' when you mean 'to leave' or 'to allow.'

perdonar

per-doh-NARpeɾðoˈnaɾ

verbB1general
Use 'perdonar' when a requirement, debt, or penalty is waived or forgiven, essentially meaning it no longer needs to be fulfilled or paid.
A friendly person with a kind expression holds up a large, red 'stop' sign in front of a slightly late cartoon animal, but then smiles and lowers the sign, allowing the animal to pass without penalty, symbolizing excusing a delay.

Examples

El banco le perdonó la mitad de la deuda.

The bank excused him half of the debt (waived half the debt).

Perdona mi ignorancia, pero ¿qué significa esa palabra?

Excuse my ignorance, but what does that word mean?

Por favor, perdona el ruido; estamos en obras.

Please excuse the noise; we are doing construction.

Forgiving Things, Not People

In this sense, 'perdonar' often takes the thing being excused (like a debt or a noise) as the direct object, rather than focusing on the person.

relevar

rreh-leh-BAHRreleˈβar

verbC1formal
Use 'relevar' specifically when someone is officially released from a particular promise, duty, or responsibility they were previously bound to.
A person smiling as a heavy backpack is lifted off their shoulders by a helpful hand.

Examples

El juez lo relevó de su promesa de confidencialidad.

The judge released him from his promise of confidentiality.

Quedas relevado de toda responsabilidad en este asunto.

You are exempt from all responsibility in this matter.

The preposition 'de'

When using this word to mean 'to exempt,' you must use the word 'de' before the duty or responsibility you are being freed from.

Distinguishing 'liberar' from 'perdonar'

Learners often confuse 'liberar' and 'perdonar' because both can imply a removal of something negative. Remember that 'liberar' focuses on freeing someone from an active obligation or confinement, while 'perdonar' is about forgiving a debt or requirement.

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