Inklingo

How to Say "withdrawal" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “withdrawal” is “retiro” — use 'retiro' when talking about taking money out of a bank account or ATM.

retiro🔊A2

Use 'retiro' when talking about taking money out of a bank account or ATM.

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retirada🔊B1

Use 'retirada' for the act of pulling back or retreating, especially in a military or competitive context.

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abstinencia🔊B2

Choose 'abstinencia' to describe the physical or psychological symptoms experienced when stopping an addictive substance or habit.

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baja🔊B2

Use 'baja' when someone is officially taking time off from a job, course, or competition, often for reasons like illness or maternity.

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recesiónB2

Use 'recesión' for a backward movement, such as water receding or gums pulling away from teeth, and also for economic downturns.

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saque🔊B1

Use 'saque' specifically for the act of withdrawing money or goods, often in a banking or financial context.

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jubilaciónA2

Use 'jubilación' only when referring to the formal act of retiring from professional work.

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English → Spanish

retiro

reh-TEE-rohreˈtiɾo

nounA2general
Use 'retiro' when talking about taking money out of a bank account or ATM.
A close-up illustration of a hand pulling several folded green banknotes out of a gray machine slot.

Examples

Necesito hacer un retiro de cien dólares del cajero.

I need to make a withdrawal of one hundred dollars from the ATM.

El banco cobra una comisión por cada retiro internacional.

The bank charges a fee for every international withdrawal.

Using the Verb Correctly

Mistake: “Hacer la retiro (Incorrect gender)”

Correction: Hacer el retiro (Use the masculine article 'el'.)

retirada

reh-tee-RAH-dahre.tiˈɾa.ða

nounB1general
Use 'retirada' for the act of pulling back or retreating, especially in a military or competitive context.
Three simple, stylized soldiers marching in a straight line away from the viewer across a plain landscape, illustrating a military retreat or organized withdrawal.

Examples

Tras el ataque, la retirada del ejército enemigo fue rápida.

After the attack, the enemy army's retreat was swift.

La tormenta forzó la retirada de los barcos al puerto.

The storm forced the withdrawal of the ships to port.

Always Feminine

Even though it comes from the verb 'retirar,' 'retirada' is a noun and must always use feminine articles: 'la retirada' or 'una retirada'.

Confusing Noun and Adjective

Mistake: “Usar 'un retirada' (using the masculine article).”

Correction: Use 'una retirada.' Remember that the word ends in '-a' and is feminine.

abstinencia

abs-tee-NEN-syahabstiˈnensja

nounB2general
Choose 'abstinencia' to describe the physical or psychological symptoms experienced when stopping an addictive substance or habit.
A simple illustration of a person politely pushing away a plate of cookies to show self-control.

Examples

El médico le recomendó abstinencia total de alcohol.

The doctor recommended total abstinence from alcohol.

La abstinencia de carne es una tradición en algunos días festivos.

Refraining from meat is a tradition on some holidays.

Siente mucha ansiedad debido al síndrome de abstinencia.

He feels a lot of anxiety due to withdrawal syndrome.

Using 'de' to describe the habit

In Spanish, we always use the word 'de' (of/from) right after 'abstinencia' to say exactly what you are giving up, like 'abstinencia de azúcar' (abstinence from sugar).

It is always feminine

Since it ends in -ia, it is a feminine noun. Use 'la' or 'una' with it, and make sure any describing words (adjectives) end in 'a', like 'abstinencia prolongada'.

Using 'a' instead of 'de'

Mistake: “abstinencia a las drogas”

Correction: abstinencia de las drogas

baja

BA-haˈbaxa

nounB2general
Use 'baja' when someone is officially taking time off from a job, course, or competition, often for reasons like illness or maternity.
A relaxed person lying comfortably in bed with a blanket and a steaming mug, indicating they are on sick leave.

Examples

Mi colega está de baja por maternidad.

My colleague is on maternity leave.

El médico me dio la baja por una semana.

The doctor gave me sick leave for a week.

El ejército reportó cinco bajas en el combate.

The army reported five casualties in the combat.

recesión

nounB2general
Use 'recesión' for a backward movement, such as water receding or gums pulling away from teeth, and also for economic downturns.

Examples

El país entró en una recesión económica el año pasado.

The country entered an economic recession last year.

saque

SAH-kehˈsa.ke

nounB1general
Use 'saque' specifically for the act of withdrawing money or goods, often in a banking or financial context.
A colorful storybook illustration showing a hand pulling a stack of green currency bills out of a small, stylized bank withdrawal slot.

Examples

El banco limitó el saque de efectivo diario.

The bank limited the daily cash withdrawal.

Tenemos que revisar el saque de mercancía del almacén.

We have to review the extraction (or removal) of merchandise from the warehouse.

Formal Contexts

In banking and business, 'saque' is often used in official documentation, even if people use 'retiro' in daily conversation.

jubilación

nounA2formal
Use 'jubilación' only when referring to the formal act of retiring from professional work.

Examples

Mi abuelo está muy feliz desde su jubilación.

My grandfather has been very happy since his retirement.

Financial vs. General Withdrawal

Learners often confuse 'retiro' and 'saque' for financial withdrawals. While both relate to taking money, 'retiro' is the general term for taking money from a bank, whereas 'saque' is more specific to the act of withdrawing cash or goods, sometimes implying a limit or action by the institution.

Related Translations

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