Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Dismiss in Spanish: Despedir
Despedir · verb · dehs-peh-DEER
Despedir is the most common translation for dismiss in the employment sense — to fire or let go of an employee. For dismissing an idea or suggestion, 'descartar' (to discard) is more appropriate. In legal contexts, 'desestimar' means to dismiss a case or claim. The reflexive form 'despedirse' means to say goodbye, adding another layer to this versatile verb.
dehs-peh-DEER
El jefe decidió despedir a tres empleados por bajo rendimiento.
The boss decided to dismiss three employees for poor performance.
Dismiss in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for dismiss, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| despedir | dismiss | dehs-peh-DEER | Default, widely understood |
| descartar | dismiss | dismiss an idea | |
| desestimar | dismiss | legal/formal |
How Native Speakers Use Despedir
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Employment
La empresa despidió a cincuenta trabajadores durante la reestructuración.
The company dismissed fifty workers during the restructuring.
Corporate layoffs.
Dismissing an idea
No deberías descartar esa posibilidad tan rápido.
You shouldn't dismiss that possibility so quickly.
Advising someone to keep options open.
Legal
El juez desestimó el caso por falta de pruebas.
The judge dismissed the case due to lack of evidence.
Court ruling.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Despedir
Confusing despedir with despedirse
Incorrect: Me despedí del trabajo — meaning I was fired.
Correct: Me despidieron del trabajo.
Despedirse (reflexive) means to say goodbye, not to be fired. To express being dismissed from a job, use the passive construction 'me despidieron' (they fired me), not the reflexive form.
Using descartar for people
Incorrect: Descartaron al empleado problemático.
Correct: Despidieron al empleado problemático.
Descartar means to discard or rule out ideas, options, or possibilities. For dismissing a person from employment, 'despedir' is the correct verb. Using descartar for people sounds as if you are treating them like objects.
Lock in Dismiss Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Despedir used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using despedir in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear El jefe decidió despedir a tres empleados por bajo rendimiento. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About Dismiss in Spanish
- What is the difference between despedir and despedirse?
- Despedir (without reflexive) means to fire someone or to see someone off. Despedirse (reflexive) means to say goodbye or take your leave. The reflexive completely changes the meaning: 'Lo despidieron' (They fired him) versus 'Se despidió de ellos' (He said goodbye to them).
- How do I say 'dismiss a notification' on a phone?
- For digital notifications, Spanish interfaces typically use 'descartar' (dismiss/discard) or 'cerrar' (close). You might see buttons labeled 'Descartar' or 'Ignorar' (ignore) when dealing with alerts and pop-up messages on devices.
- What does desestimar mean in legal Spanish?
- Desestimar is the formal legal term meaning to dismiss or reject a legal claim, motion, or case. When a judge 'desestima una demanda,' they are ruling that the case has no legal merit and will not proceed. It is equivalent to 'overruling' or 'dismissing' in English legal terminology.