Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Remove in Spanish: Quitar
Quitar · verb · kee-TAHR
Remove in Spanish is quitar, a versatile verb meaning to take away, take off, or eliminate something.
Quitar is kee-TAHR, two syllables with stress on TAHR.
Por favor quita los zapatos antes de entrar a la casa.
Please remove your shoes before entering the house.
Remove in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for remove, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| quitar | remove | kee-TAHR | Default, widely understood |
| eliminar | remove | digital or formal contexts | |
| sacar | remove | Latin America, informal |
How Native Speakers Use Quitar
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Taking off clothing
Hace calor, me voy a quitar la chaqueta.
It's hot, I'm going to remove my jacket.
Everyday dressing context.
Cleaning a stain
No puedo quitar esta mancha del mantel.
I can't remove this stain from the tablecloth.
Household cleaning.
Digital context
¿Puedes eliminar mi nombre de la lista de correos?
Can you remove my name from the mailing list?
Using eliminar in a digital setting.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Quitar
False cognate with remover
Incorrect: Voy a remover la silla del camino.
Correct: Voy a quitar la silla del camino.
In most Latin American Spanish, remover means to stir (a liquid), not to remove; use quitar instead.
Reflexive confusion
Incorrect: Quita tu abrigo.
Correct: Quítate el abrigo.
When removing your own clothing, use the reflexive quitarse with the definite article: quítate el abrigo.
Lock in Remove 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 Quitar used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using quitar in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Por favor quita los zapatos antes de entrar a la casa. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Remove in Spanish
- How do you say remove in Spanish?
- The most common verb is quitar for physical removal, while eliminar is preferred in digital or formal contexts like removing files or contacts.
- Does remover mean remove in Spanish?
- In most of Latin America, remover actually means to stir or mix (like stirring soup), which is a common trap for English speakers who assume it means remove.
- How do you say remove clothing in Spanish?
- Use the reflexive form quitarse followed by the definite article: me quito la camisa (I remove my shirt), te quitas los zapatos (you remove your shoes).