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How to Say "to unlock" in Spanish

English → Spanish

abrir

ah-BREER/aˈβɾiɾ/

verbA1general
Use 'abrir' when referring to the physical act of opening something that is closed, like a door, a gate, or a container, which implies 'unlocking' it to gain access.
A wooden door slightly open, with bright light shining through the gap.

Examples

Por favor, abre la puerta para que entre el perro.

Please, open the door so the dog can come in.

Ella siempre abre su libro de texto antes de la clase.

She always opens her textbook before class.

Abierto vs. Abrido

The past participle ('-ado' or '-ido' form) of 'abrir' is irregular: it's 'abierto,' not 'abrido'. This form is used to create compound tenses (He abierto) or as an adjective (La tienda está abierta).

movilizar

/mo-bee-lee-SAHR//mo.βi.liˈθaɾ/

verbB2formal
Use 'movilizar' when you mean to free up or set in motion something that was previously restricted or immobile, such as body parts after injury or withheld resources.
A large wooden gear being turned by a hand to start a machine.

Examples

El fisioterapeuta empezó a movilizar mi rodilla después de la cirugía.

The physiotherapist started to mobilize my knee after the surgery.

Necesitamos movilizar el capital estancado para nuevos proyectos.

We need to mobilize stagnant capital for new projects.

Active Voice

This verb is almost always used to show that someone is intentionally making something move or work again.

Abrir vs. Movilizar

Learners often incorrectly use 'abrir' for non-physical unlocking. Remember that 'abrir' is for physically opening something, while 'movilizar' is for freeing up movement or resources that were previously stuck or unavailable.

Related Translations

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