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How to Say "to release" in Spanish

English → Spanish

liberar

/lee-beh-RAHR//liβeˈɾaɾ/

verbA2/B1General
Use 'liberar' when you mean to set someone free from confinement (like a prisoner) or to make a product, information, or statement 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.'

soltar

sohl-TAHR/solˈtaɾ/

verbA2General
Use 'soltar' primarily when you mean to let go of something physically, to release it into the air or water, or to loosen a grip.
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.

publicar

/poo-blee-KAHR//publiˈkaɾ/

verbB1Formal/General
Use 'publicar' specifically when referring to the act of making something official, like a report, news, or a book, 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.

Confusing 'liberar' and 'soltar'

Learners often confuse 'liberar' and 'soltar'. Remember that 'liberar' is more about freeing someone or something from a state of being held or confined, while 'soltar' is about the physical action of letting go of an object.

Related Translations

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