How to Say "to retire" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to retire” is “retirarse” — use 'retirarse' when referring specifically to stopping work or ending one's professional career, often upon reaching a certain age..
retirarse
/reh-tee-RAHR-seh//re.tiˈɾaɾ.se/
Examples
Mi abuelo se retiró a los 65 años después de trabajar 40 años en la fábrica.
My grandfather retired at 65 after working 40 years in the factory.
¿Cuándo planeas retirarte? Queremos hacer una gran fiesta.
When do you plan to retire? We want to throw a big party.
The Reflexive 'Se'
Since this is a reflexive verb, you must use the pronoun 'se' (or 'me,' 'te,' etc.) to show that the action of 'retiring' is done by the subject to themselves.
Forgetting 'se'
Mistake: “Mi padre retiró el año pasado.”
Correction: Mi padre se retiró el año pasado. (If you omit 'se', 'retirar' means 'to withdraw something else,' like money.)
retirar
reh-tee-RAHR/re.tiˈɾaɾ/
Examples
El famoso tenista se retiró después de ganar el campeonato.
The famous tennis player retired after winning the championship.
El general ordenó a sus tropas retirarse a la base.
The general ordered his troops to retreat to the base.
Si te retiras de la carrera, no puedes volver a participar.
If you withdraw from the race, you cannot participate again.
Reflexive Use is Key
When talking about ending a career or withdrawing oneself from a situation, you must use the reflexive form 'retirarse,' meaning the person is performing the action on themselves (e.g., 'me retiro', 'se retira').
Forgetting the 'Se'
Mistake: “Saying 'Mi padre retiró' instead of 'Mi padre se retiró.'”
Correction: If the action is 'to retire from work,' you need the little word 'se' before the verb form: 'Mi padre *se* retiró' (My father retired).
Using 'retirar' vs. 'retirarse'
Related Translations
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