How to Say "to restart" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to restart” is “reiniciar” — use 'reiniciar' when talking about starting a computer, device, software, or a formal process like a game or a project after an interruption..
reiniciar
/rrey-nee-syahr//reiniˈsjaɾ/
Examples
Si el programa no responde, reinicia el ordenador.
If the program is not responding, restart the computer.
Prueba a reiniciar el ordenador para solucionar el problema.
Try to restart the computer to fix the problem.
Mi teléfono se está reiniciando solo.
My phone is restarting by itself.
No olvides reiniciar el router si el wifi no funciona.
Don't forget to restart the router if the Wi-Fi doesn't work.
The power of 're-'
Just like in English, adding 're-' to the beginning of a word in Spanish means to do it again. 'Iniciar' means to start, so 'reiniciar' is simply to start again.
Spelling check
Even though it sounds like 'i-n-i-c-i-a-r', remember it has two 'i's right at the start after the 're-'. Don't skip the second 'i'!
Using 'a' with people
If you are 'restarting' something involving a person (like a relationship), you don't need 'a' unless the person is the direct target of the action. Usually, you restart 'la relación', not the person.
Using 'Resetear'
Mistake: “Using 'resetear' in a formal job interview.”
Correction: Use 'reiniciar'. While 'resetear' is very common in casual conversation, 'reiniciar' is the proper and more professional term.
reanudar
/reh-ah-noo-dar//reanuˈðar/
Examples
Vamos a reanudar la clase después del descanso.
We are going to resume the class after the break.
Vamos a reanudar la reunión en diez minutos.
We are going to resume the meeting in ten minutes.
El árbitro decidió reanudar el partido cuando dejó de llover.
The referee decided to restart the match when it stopped raining.
Tras las vacaciones, la empresa reanudó su actividad habitual.
After the holidays, the company resumed its usual activity.
Action vs. State
Use 'reanudar' when you want to emphasize the exact moment an action starts again after being stopped. It always needs an object (you reanudar 'something').
Regular Conjugation
This verb follows the standard pattern for verbs ending in -ar, making it very predictable to conjugate in all forms.
The 'Resumir' False Friend
Mistake: “Using 'resumir' to mean 'to resume'.”
Correction: Use 'reanudar' for 'to resume'. 'Resumir' in Spanish means 'to summarize' (to give a brief version).
Technology vs. Ongoing Activities
Related Translations
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