Inklingo

How to Say "to release" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to release” is “soltar” — use 'soltar' when you are physically letting something go, allowing it to move freely, or setting a captive free.

soltar🔊A2

Use 'soltar' when you are physically letting something go, allowing it to move freely, or setting a captive free.

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liberar🔊A2

Use 'liberar' for freeing prisoners or captives, and also for making products, information, or statements officially available.

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descargar🔊B2

Choose 'descargar' when you need to express or get rid of pent-up tension, pressure, or strong emotions.

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estrenar🔊B1

Use 'estrenar' specifically when talking about the initial public release or premiere of a movie, song, album, or play.

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publicar🔊B1

Use 'publicar' for making information, news, or creative works like books or articles officially available to the public.

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largar🔊B1

Use 'largar' in informal contexts when you mean to let something go physically, like slackening a rope or releasing an object.

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relevar🔊C1

Use 'relevar' when you are releasing someone from a duty, obligation, or responsibility.

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English → Spanish

soltar

sohl-TAHRsolˈtaɾ

verbA2general
Use 'soltar' when you are physically letting something go, allowing it to move freely, or setting a captive free.
A close-up view of a person's hand opening its grip, allowing a small, colorful ball to fall downwards.

Examples

Solté el globo por accidente y voló muy alto.

I accidentally let go of the balloon and it flew very high.

El policía soltó al detenido porque no había pruebas.

The police officer released the detainee because there was no evidence.

Stem-Change Alert

In the present tense, the 'o' in the root changes to 'ue' (soltar -> suelto), except for the 'nosotros' and 'vosotros' forms.

Confusing Physical vs. Emotional Release

Mistake: “Using 'dejar' when you mean 'soltar' (physical grip).”

Correction: 'Dejar' means 'to leave' or 'to allow.' Use 'soltar' for dropping or releasing a physical object.

liberar

lee-beh-RAHRliβeˈɾaɾ

verbA2general
Use 'liberar' for freeing prisoners or captives, and also for making products, information, or statements officially available.
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.

La farmacéutica liberó los resultados de los ensayos clínicos.

The pharmaceutical company released the results of the clinical trials.

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.

Using the Future Tense

When talking about planned releases (products, movies), the simple future tense ('liberará') or the immediate future ('va a liberar') are both very common.

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.'

descargar

dehs-kar-GAHRdeskaɾˈɣaɾ

verbB2general
Choose 'descargar' when you need to express or get rid of pent-up tension, pressure, or strong emotions.
A person shouting into a pillow to release frustration.

Examples

Necesitaba descargar mi frustración con alguien.

I needed to vent my frustration to someone.

Llorar es una buena forma de descargar la tensión.

Crying is a good way to release tension.

No descargues tu rabia conmigo, yo no hice nada.

Don't take your anger out on me, I didn't do anything.

estrenar

es-tre-NARestɾeˈnaɾ

verbB1general
Use 'estrenar' specifically when talking about the initial public release or premiere of a movie, song, album, or play.
A red velvet theater curtain opening to reveal a bright stage with golden spotlights.

Examples

La nueva película de Marvel se estrena este viernes.

The new Marvel movie premieres this Friday.

El teatro va a estrenar una obra clásica el próximo mes.

The theater is going to premiere a classic play next month.

Using 'se' with premieres

When a movie premieres, we often say 'se estrena' (it premieres itself) because the movie is the thing being shown for the first time.

publicar

poo-blee-KAHRpubliˈkaɾ

verbB1general
Use 'publicar' for making information, news, or creative works like books or articles officially available to the public.
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.

largar

lar-GARlarˈɣar

verbB1informal
Use 'largar' in informal contexts when you mean to let something go physically, like slackening a rope or releasing an object.
A close-up of a pair of hands letting go of a thick nautical rope, allowing it to slide away.

Examples

Larga un poco más de cuerda para que el barco pueda moverse.

Let out a little more rope so the boat can move.

Tuvieron que largar los cabos rápidamente.

They had to release the lines quickly.

No largues el hilo todavía.

Don't let out the string yet.

The 'G' to 'GU' Swap

When 'g' meets 'e', it changes its sound. To keep the hard 'g' sound in words like 'largué', we add a silent 'u' before the 'e'.

Missing the 'u'

Mistake: “Yo largé la cuerda.”

Correction: Yo largué la cuerda. You need the 'u' to keep the 'g' sounding hard like in 'guitar'.

relevar

rreh-leh-BAHRreleˈβar

verbC1formal
Use 'relevar' when you are releasing someone from a duty, obligation, or responsibility.
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.

Soltar vs. Liberar

Learners often confuse 'soltar' and 'liberar' because both can mean 'to set free'. Remember that 'soltar' is more about the physical act of letting go (like a balloon), while 'liberar' is often used for freeing people from captivity or making information public.

Related Translations

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