Inklingo

How to Say "to restrict" in Spanish

English → Spanish

limitar

/lee-mee-TAHR//limiˈtaɾ/

verbA2general
Use this word when you mean to keep something or someone within certain defined boundaries or to set a limit, often for practical reasons.
A hand placing a small wooden block at the end of a short line of blocks to stop any more from being added.

Examples

Debes limitar el consumo de azúcar.

You should limit your sugar intake.

El director decidió limitar el presupuesto del proyecto.

The director decided to restrict the project's budget.

Las nuevas leyes van a limitar la libertad de prensa.

The new laws are going to limit freedom of the press.

Regular -ar verb

Limitar follows the standard pattern for verbs ending in -ar. If you know how to conjugate 'hablar', you already know how to conjugate this one!

Limitar vs Limitarse

Mistake: “Me limito comer chocolate.”

Correction: Me limito a comer chocolate. (When using the verb to say you 'confine yourself' to an action, you must use the word 'a' before the next verb.)

estrangular

/es-trahn-goo-LAHR//estɾaŋɡuˈlaɾ/

verbB2figurative
Use this word when you mean to severely limit or suffocate something, to the point of hindering its growth or function, often with a negative connotation.
A small green sprout trying to grow under a heavy grey stone that is blocking its path.

Examples

Los altos impuestos están estrangulando la economía nacional.

High taxes are stifling the national economy.

La falta de inversión estranguló el proyecto antes de empezar.

The lack of investment choked off the project before it started.

Esa ley va a estrangular el crecimiento de las pequeñas empresas.

That law is going to restrict the growth of small companies.

Figurative Language

Just like in English, physical actions (squeezing a neck) can describe abstract actions (squeezing a budget).

Limitar vs. Estrangular

Learners often confuse 'limitar' and 'estrangular' by using 'estrangular' when a simple 'limitar' (to limit) would suffice. Remember that 'estrangular' implies a much more severe, suffocating restriction, like a vice grip, whereas 'limitar' is about setting boundaries.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.