Inklingo

How to Say "to publish" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to publish” is “publicar” — use 'publicar' when referring to the act of making a book, article, research paper, or other written work officially available to the public, often through a publisher or platform.

English → Spanish

publicar

poo-blee-KAHRpubliˈkaɾ

verbB1general
Use 'publicar' when referring to the act of making a book, article, research paper, or other written work officially available to the public, often through a publisher or platform.
A printing press or a stack of fresh, new hardcover books being placed on a library shelf.

Examples

El autor publicó su novela el año pasado.

The author published his novel last year.

La revista publica artículos científicos cada mes.

The magazine publishes scientific articles every month.

editar

eh-dee-TAHRe.ðiˈtaɾ

verbB2professional
Use 'editar' when the focus is on the process of preparing and producing a book, magazine, or other publication for sale, involving content selection, revision, and formatting by a publishing house.
A stack of freshly printed, colorful books being placed onto a bookstore shelf.

Examples

La editorial va a editar su novela el próximo mes.

The publishing house is going to publish his novel next month.

Este libro fue editado originalmente en España.

This book was originally published in Spain.

Queremos editar una revista para los estudiantes.

We want to publish a magazine for the students.

Difference from English 'Edit'

In English, 'edit' usually only means fixing text. In Spanish, 'editar' also covers the business of actually printing and releasing a book.

imprimir

eem-pree-MEERim.pɾi.ˈmiɾ

verbA2general
Use 'imprimir' when referring specifically to the physical act of producing copies of a document, book, or magazine using a printing machine, often for personal or immediate use.
A modern printer outputting a piece of paper with a colorful picture of a tree on it.

Examples

Necesito imprimir mi tarea para la clase de mañana.

I need to print my homework for tomorrow's class.

¿Puedes imprimir dos copias de este documento?

Can you print two copies of this document?

Están imprimiendo la nueva edición del libro ahora mismo.

They are printing the new edition of the book right now.

The Double Past Participle

Spanish allows two forms for the 'done' version of this verb: 'imprimido' and 'impreso'. Both are correct when used with 'haber' (e.g., 'He impreso' or 'He imprimido').

Using 'Impreso' as a Description

When you use the word as an adjective (a word that describes something), you should almost always use 'impreso'. For example: 'el libro impreso' (the printed book).

Choosing the right past form

Mistake: “El documento está imprimido.”

Correction: El documento está impreso. (Use 'impreso' when describing the state of an object; 'imprimido' is only for the action with the verb 'have').

Publicar vs. Editar

The most common mistake is using 'publicar' when the emphasis should be on the production process by a publishing house, which is 'editar'. 'Publicar' is about making content available, while 'editar' is about the creation and preparation of that content for distribution.

Related Translations

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