How to Say "to neglect" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to neglect” is “descuidar” — use 'descuidar' when you mean to fail to give enough care or attention to someone or something, leading to potential harm or deterioration..
descuidar
/des-kwee-DAR//des.kwiˈðaɾ/
Examples
Si descuidas tus plantas, se van a morir.
If you neglect your plants, they are going to die.
No puedes descuidar tu salud por el trabajo.
You cannot neglect your health for work.
El gobierno descuidó la educación pública durante años.
The government overlooked public education for years.
It's the Opposite of Caring
Think of 'des-' as 'undoing' and 'cuidar' as 'to care.' So, 'descuidar' is simply 'to un-care' or fail to maintain the care something needs.
Direct Action
You can use this word directly with the thing or person being neglected: 'Descuidar el jardín' (Neglect the garden).
Using 'Olvidar' instead
Mistake: “Olvidé mi perro en casa.”
Correction: Descuidé a mi perro. Use 'olvidar' for forgetting a fact or an object; use 'descuidar' when you failed in your responsibility to look after something.
omitir
/oh-mee-teer//omiˈtiɾ/
Examples
El testigo omitió declarar toda la verdad ante el juez.
The witness failed to declare the whole truth before the judge.
No puedes omitir tus obligaciones legales.
You cannot neglect your legal obligations.
Formal Failure
In high-level Spanish, omitir implies a serious failure to act, rather than just a casual skip.
Descuidar vs. Omitir
Related Translations
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