Inklingo

How to Say "to withdraw" in Spanish

English → Spanish

retirar

reh-tee-RAHR/re.tiˈɾaɾ/

verbB1/B2general
Use 'retirar' when taking money out of a bank account or when a person or entity voluntarily leaves a competition or event.
A simplified illustration of a hand pulling a stack of green bank notes out of a slot, representing withdrawing money.

Examples

Fui al banco a retirar dinero para el viaje.

I went to the bank to withdraw money for the trip.

No puedo retirar más de 300 dólares por día.

I cannot withdraw more than 300 dollars per day.

El famoso tenista se retiró después de ganar el campeonato.

The famous tennis player retired after winning the championship. (Note the 'se')

El general ordenó a sus tropas retirarse a la base.

The general ordered his troops to retreat to the base.

Transitive Usage

In this context, 'retirar' is always followed by what is being withdrawn (the money or funds).

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).

retirarse

/reh-tee-RAHR-seh//re.tiˈɾaɾ.se/

verbB2general
Use 'retirarse' specifically when a person or team formally withdraws from a competition or leaves a place, often due to circumstances like injury.
A runner stopping on a dirt track and stepping off the competitive running path onto the grass, turning their back on the race.

Examples

El equipo tuvo que retirarse del torneo debido a las lesiones.

The team had to withdraw from the tournament due to injuries.

Los soldados se retiraron a una posición más segura después del ataque.

The soldiers retreated to a safer position after the attack.

Movement Away

When used for physical movement, 'retirarse' emphasizes moving oneself away from a previous location, often implying a defensive or intentional action.

sacar

/sah-KAR//saˈkaɾ/

verbA1general
Use 'sacar' for the simple act of taking money out of an ATM or bank, similar to 'taking out'. It can also mean taking anything out of somewhere.
A cartoon character taking a tied garbage bag out of a kitchen trash can, illustrating the concept of removing something from a container.

Examples

Saco las llaves de mi bolsillo.

I take the keys out of my pocket.

Por favor, saca la basura.

Please, take out the trash.

Voy al banco a sacar dinero.

I'm going to the bank to withdraw money.

The 'yo' form spelling change in the past

To keep the hard 'k' sound in the past tense, the letter 'c' changes to 'qu' before an 'e' in the 'yo' form. So, 'yo saco' (I take out) becomes 'yo saqué' (I took out). This happens with all verbs ending in '-car'.

`Sacar` vs. `Quitar`

Mistake: “Voy a sacar la mancha de mi camisa.”

Correction: Voy a quitar la mancha de mi camisa. Use `sacar` for taking something *out of* a container or space (like a pocket or a room). Use `quitar` for taking something *off of* a surface (like a stain from a shirt or a book from a table).

Retirar vs. Sacar for Money

Learners often confuse 'retirar' and 'sacar' when talking about money. While both can mean 'to take out money', 'sacar' is more general for taking things out of places, including cash from an ATM. 'Retirar' is more specific to withdrawing funds from an account as a financial transaction.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.