At the A1 level, you don't need to worry about complex chemistry. Just think of desalar as 'to take out the salt'. It is like 'lavar' (to wash) but specifically for salt. In Spain, people love a fish called 'bacalao' (cod). This fish is very, very salty because salt keeps it fresh for a long time. Before you eat it, you must put it in water. This action is desalar. You can say: 'Yo desalo el pescado' (I desalt the fish). It is a regular verb, so it follows the same pattern as 'hablar' or 'cocinar'. If you are learning to cook in Spanish, this is one of the first specific food words you might see in a simple recipe. Just remember: Sal = Salt. Desalar = Remove salt.
At the A2 level, you can start using desalar in different tenses to talk about your cooking habits. You might use the past tense: 'Ayer desalé el bacalao para la cena de hoy' (Yesterday I desalted the cod for today's dinner). You can also use it with 'tener que' to express necessity: 'Tienes que desalar el pescado durante 24 horas' (You have to desalt the fish for 24 hours). At this level, it is helpful to know that the word is almost always used with food. You will see it in supermarkets on signs like 'bacalao para desalar'. This tells you that the fish is not ready to eat yet; you have work to do at home! It is a practical word for daily life in Spain.
For B1 learners, desalar is an essential culinary term. At this level, you should understand that it is a process that involves time and osmosis, even if you don't use the technical words. You should be able to explain the process: 'Para desalar el bacalao, hay que cambiar el agua varias veces y mantenerlo en frío'. You might also encounter the passive 'se' construction: 'El bacalao se desala en la nevera'. It's important to distinguish desalar from remojar (to soak). While you soak (remojas) beans to make them soft, you desalt (desalas) fish specifically to remove the salt. You are now at a level where using the specific verb desalar instead of a general verb like 'limpiar' shows a much better command of the Spanish language and culture.
At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using desalar in more complex grammatical structures, including the subjunctive. For example: 'Es importante que el cocinero desale bien las anchoas antes de servirlas' (It's important that the cook desalts the anchovies well before serving them). You should also be aware of the noun form 'desalado' and how it functions as an adjective: 'Prefiero comprar el bacalao ya desalado para ahorrar tiempo'. At this level, you can also understand the difference between desalar (gastronomy) and desalinizar (industrial/environmental). If you are reading a Spanish newspaper and see an article about water shortages, they might talk about 'desalar el agua del mar', though 'desalinizar' is more formal. You can appreciate the nuances of culinary tradition and how this word represents a link to Spain's historical methods of food preservation.
At the C1 level, you can explore the more obscure or metaphorical uses of desalar. Although rare, you might encounter it in literary contexts where it means 'to remove wings' or 'to rush'. However, your focus should be on its precise application in professional gastronomy. You might discuss the 'punto de sal' (salt point) and how the 'proceso de desalado' affects the protein structure of the fish. You can use the word in sophisticated debates about traditional vs. modern cooking techniques. For instance, you could argue about whether vacuum-sealing fish during the desalting process improves the final texture. Your vocabulary should be rich enough to use desalar alongside terms like 'rehidratación', 'ósmosis', and 'preservación', demonstrating a deep understanding of both the language and the cultural practices it describes.
For the C2 learner, desalar is a word that carries significant cultural weight. You can analyze its etymology and its role in the development of Mediterranean trade routes. You might use it metaphorically in creative writing to describe 'desalting' a situation—removing the bitterness or intensity from a conflict. You are aware of regional variations; for example, how the term might be used in the salt-works of the Balearic Islands versus the kitchens of the Pyrenees. You can effortlessly switch between the colloquial 'desalar' and the technical 'desalinizar' depending on your audience, and you might even be familiar with archaic uses in Golden Age literature. At this level, the word is not just a verb; it's a symbol of the transformation of a rugged, preserved commodity into a refined element of 'alta cocina'.

desalar in 30 Sekunden

  • Desalar means to remove salt from food, especially salt-cod (bacalao).
  • It is a regular -ar verb, easy to conjugate in all tenses.
  • The process usually involves soaking the food in cold water for 24-72 hours.
  • It is a vital term in Spanish culinary traditions and Mediterranean culture.

The Spanish verb desalar is a culinary and technical term that primarily refers to the process of removing excess salt from food. In the context of Spanish gastronomy, this is not a minor task; it is a foundational technique required for some of the most iconic dishes in the Iberian Peninsula. The word is a combination of the prefix de- (indicating removal or reversal) and the noun sal (salt), followed by the verbal suffix -ar. While it sounds simple, the act of desalting usually involves soaking preserved foods—most notably salt-cod (bacalao) or cured meats like cecina—in fresh water for extended periods, often ranging from 24 to 72 hours, with frequent water changes to ensure the ingredient becomes palatable and reaches the desired texture.

Culinary Context
Used extensively when preparing traditional recipes like 'Bacalao al Pil-Pil' or 'Bacalao a la Vizcaína', where the fish starts as a hard, salt-encrusted slab.

Beyond the kitchen, desalar can also appear in environmental or industrial contexts, such as the desalination of seawater to create potable water, although the more technical term desalinizar is often preferred in formal scientific papers. However, in common parlance, if a Spaniard mentions they need to 'desalar' something, they are almost certainly talking about dinner. It implies patience and preparation, as you cannot simply rush the process without ruining the dish's osmotic balance.

Antes de cocinar el bacalao, es fundamental desalar los lomos en agua fría durante dos días.

The importance of this word stems from the historical necessity of salt-preservation in Spain. Before refrigeration, salt was the primary method for keeping fish caught in the North Atlantic edible during the long journey to the interior of the country. Consequently, the cultural memory of 'desalar' is deeply embedded in Spanish life, particularly during Lent (Cuaresma) when meat consumption was traditionally restricted and salted fish became the staple protein. Understanding this word is a gateway to understanding Spanish food culture and the rhythm of traditional domestic life.

Technical Nuance
In some rare poetic or archaic contexts, 'desalar' can mean to 'remove wings' (from 'ala'), but this is virtually never encountered in modern conversation.

¿Has recordado desalar las anchoas para la ensalada?

Finally, the word carries a connotation of transformation. You are taking something that is inedible due to its intensity and making it subtle and ready for creation. It is a verb of preparation, emphasizing that the best things in life—and in cooking—require time and the careful removal of excess to reveal the true essence of the ingredient underneath.

Using desalar correctly requires an understanding of its transitive nature; you always desalt *something*. The most common object is 'el bacalao' (cod), but it can apply to any salt-cured product. In terms of grammar, it is a regular -ar verb, making its conjugation straightforward for learners. However, the context determines which tense is most appropriate. For instance, in recipes, you will frequently see the infinitive used as a command or the imperative form.

Imperative Usage
'Desala el pescado con cuidado' (Desalt the fish carefully). This is a direct instruction you might hear from a chef or read in a cookbook.

When discussing the process in the past, you might use the preterite to describe a completed action: 'Ayer desalé el bacalao'. If you are describing a habitual action or a state of being during the process, the imperfect is more suitable: 'Mi abuela siempre desalaba el pescado en un cuenco grande de cerámica'. This paints a picture of a recurring tradition. Furthermore, the future tense is often used in planning: 'Mañana por la mañana empezaremos a desalar la carne para el cocido'.

Si no desalas bien la cecina, el guiso quedará demasiado fuerte para comer.

One interesting aspect of desalar is its use in the passive voice or with 'se' to indicate the process itself without focusing on the person doing it. For example, 'El bacalao se debe desalar en la nevera' (The cod should be desalted in the fridge). This is very common in instructional writing. You can also use the participle 'desalado' as an adjective to describe the final state of the product: 'Ya tengo el bacalao desalado y listo para la sartén'.

In more complex sentence structures, such as those using the subjunctive, desalar follows the standard rules for -ar verbs. For example, 'Espero que hayas desalado el pescado correctamente' (I hope you have desalted the fish correctly). This is used when there is doubt, emotion, or a request involved. Another common pattern is using it with 'para': 'Pon el bacalao en agua para desalarlo' (Put the cod in water to desalt it).

El chef nos enseñó a desalar los ingredientes sin que pierdan su textura original.

Common Objects
El bacalao (cod), las anchoas (anchovies), la cecina (cured beef), los arenques (herrings), el jamón (occasionally, if too salty).

Whether you are a beginner or an advanced speaker, mastering the use of desalar allows you to navigate Spanish culinary conversations with precision. It demonstrates an awareness of the specific steps required in traditional cooking, moving beyond generic verbs like 'lavar' (to wash) or 'limpiar' (to clean) to use the exact term that Spanish speakers expect in a kitchen environment.

To hear the word desalar in its natural habitat, you should head to a Spanish 'mercado de abastos' (traditional food market). Near the stalls selling 'bacalao en salazón', you will hear customers asking the fishmonger for advice: '¿Cuánto tiempo necesito para desalar estos trozos?' (How much time do I need to desalt these pieces?). The fishmonger might reply with specific instructions based on the thickness of the cut, as 'lomos' (loins) take longer to desalt than 'migas' (scraps).

The Market Scene
Fishmongers often sell 'bacalao ya desalado' (already desalted cod) for a higher price, providing a convenience for busy modern cooks who don't have three days to wait.

Another common setting is the domestic kitchen, especially during holidays or family gatherings. In Spain, the preparation of 'Viernes de Dolores' or 'Semana Santa' (Holy Week) meals almost always involves the verb desalar. Grandparents pass down the 'correct' way to do it—always with the skin facing up so the salt falls to the bottom of the bowl—and the word becomes a part of the family's shared culinary vocabulary. You will also hear it on popular Spanish cooking shows, such as those hosted by Karlos Arguiñano, who might say, '¡Ojo! No os olvidéis de desalar bien el bacalao, que si no, no hay quien se lo coma' (Careful! Don't forget to desalt the cod well, otherwise, it'll be inedible).

En el restaurante, el aprendiz se encarga de desalar el pescado todas las mañanas.

In coastal regions like the Basque Country, Cantabria, or Galicia, the word is even more prevalent due to the historical importance of the fishing industry. Here, you might find it in local news reports discussing the salt industry or the processing of catches. It is also used in the context of 'desalación' plants (desalination plants) which are common in arid regions like Almería or the Canary Islands. While the verb desalinizar is technical, residents might simply say 'la planta para desalar agua' in casual conversation.

Finally, the word appears in the supermarket. You will see packaging labeled 'Bacalao para desalar' (Cod for desalting) vs. 'Bacalao desalado' (Desalted cod). This distinction is vital for shoppers. If you buy the former and forget to perform the action, your meal will be a disaster. Thus, the word serves as a functional warning and a culinary step that bridges the gap between a preserved ingredient and a fresh, delicious meal.

La receta dice que hay que desalar las piezas grandes durante al menos 48 horas.

In summary, desalar is heard wherever food is being prepared, sold, or discussed with a focus on tradition. It is a word of the hands, the kitchen, and the market, echoing centuries of Mediterranean and Atlantic history.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with desalar is confusing it with the phonetically similar verb desolar. While desalar means to remove salt, desolar means to devastate or lay waste to something (often used as 'desolado' to mean 'devastated' emotionally). Imagine telling a Spanish host that you are 'desolado' because of the fish, when you meant to say you were 'desalando' it! The difference is just one vowel, but the meaning changes from a kitchen chore to a profound tragedy.

Confusion with 'Desalinizar'
Learners often use the more complex 'desalinizar' when talking about cooking. While technically correct in a chemical sense, it sounds very unnatural in a kitchen. Use 'desalar' for food and 'desalinizar' for industrial water treatment.

Another error involves the conjugation of the rare homonym desalar (to remove wings). In very old literature, desalar (from 'ala') can mean to cut off wings or to rush off (to 'un-wing' oneself from a place). However, in modern Spanish, this is almost non-existent. If you try to use desalar to mean 'to fly fast' because you saw it in a 17th-century poem, modern speakers will likely be confused and think you are talking about salty fish.

Error: 'Voy a desalinizar el bacalao'. Correcto: 'Voy a desalar el bacalao'.

A practical mistake in usage is failing to use the correct preposition. Many learners try to say 'desalar de la sal' (to desalt from the salt), but this is redundant. The verb desalar already contains the concept of salt removal. You simply 'desalar el bacalao'. You might say 'desalar en agua' (to desalt in water) to specify the method, but you don't need to mention the salt as the object being removed, as it's implied in the verb itself.

Finally, some learners confuse desalar with exhalar (to exhale) due to the 'h' being silent in Spanish and the similar rhythm of the words. While less common, this can lead to strange sentences. Always remember that the root is 'sal' (salt). If there's no salt involved in your sentence, you probably shouldn't be using desalar.

No confundas desalar (quitar sal) con desolar (causar tristeza o ruina).

By avoiding these phonetic and contextual pitfalls, you can use desalar with the confidence of a native chef. It is a specific tool in your vocabulary kit—use it only when the salt needs to go!

While desalar is the most precise term for removing salt from food, there are several related words that you might encounter depending on the context. Understanding the nuances between these alternatives will help you sound more natural and precise in your Spanish.

Desalinizar
This is the industrial or scientific cousin of 'desalar'. It is used for large-scale processes, like turning seawater into drinking water or removing salt from soil to make it arable. You would never say 'desalinizar el jamón'.

Another alternative is remojar (to soak). While desalar specifically targets the salt, remojar describes the action of putting something in water for any reason—to soften it, to clean it, or to rehydrate it. For example, you 'remojas' lentils (lentejas) or chickpeas (garbanzos) before cooking them. Since desalar usually involves soaking, people often use poner en remojo (to put in soak) as a synonym: 'Pon el bacalao en remojo para que se desale'.

Para quitarle el exceso de sal, puedes remojar las anchoas en leche en lugar de agua.

If the goal is simply to wash off surface salt, you might use lavar (to wash) or enjuagar (to rinse). These are much quicker actions than desalar. If you 'enjuagas' a piece of salt-cod, it will still be incredibly salty inside because the salt hasn't had time to leach out of the fibers. Use enjuagar for olives or capers that just need a quick refresh from their brine.

Endulzar
While it literally means 'to sweeten', in some regions of Spain, 'endulzar' is used colloquially to mean 'to take the salt out' of something, under the logic that you are making it 'sweeter' (or less harsh) by removing the salt.

Finally, consider the word desmineralizar. This is a very technical term used in chemistry and medicine (like for water used in car batteries). It is far removed from the kitchen, but it shares the same 'removal' prefix. In summary, if you are in a kitchen, stick with desalar for salt-cured foods and remojar for the physical act of soaking. This will ensure you are understood by any Spanish speaker, from a home cook to a professional chef.

Aunque desalar y desalinizar parecen iguales, se usan en mundos muy distintos.

Wusstest du?

The word is a perfect example of a Spanish 'parasynthetic' formation, where a prefix and a suffix are added to a root simultaneously to create a new verb.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /de.saˈlaɾ/
US /de.səˈlɑr/
The stress is on the last syllable (lar), as is typical for all infinitive verbs ending in -ar.
Reimt sich auf
hablar cocinar mar lugar caminar cenar estudiar limpiar
Häufige Fehler
  • Pronouncing the 'd' too hard like an English 'd'; it should be softer, almost like 'th' in 'this'.
  • Stressing the first or second syllable instead of the last.
  • Not rolling the final 'r' sufficiently.
  • Confusing the vowel 'a' with 'o', making it sound like 'desolar'.
  • Making the 's' sound like a 'z' (though in some parts of Andalusia, this is common).

Beispiele nach Niveau

1

Yo desalo el pescado en agua.

I desalt the fish in water.

Simple present tense, first person singular.

2

¿Tú desalas el bacalao?

Do you desalt the cod?

Question form, second person singular.

3

Nosotros desalamos la carne hoy.

We desalt the meat today.

First person plural, present tense.

4

Ella desala las anchoas.

She desalts the anchovies.

Third person singular, present tense.

5

Es necesario desalar el pescado.

It is necessary to desalt the fish.

Infinitive form used after an impersonal expression.

6

Ellos desalaron el bacalao ayer.

They desalted the cod yesterday.

Preterite tense, third person plural.

7

Voy a desalar la comida.

I am going to desalt the food.

Future with 'ir a' + infinitive.

8

No desales el jamón todavía.

Don't desalt the ham yet.

Negative imperative (command).

1

Siempre desalamos el bacalao antes de cocinarlo.

We always desalt the cod before cooking it.

Use of 'siempre' with present tense for habits.

2

Mi abuela desalaba el pescado durante tres días.

My grandmother used to desalt the fish for three days.

Imperfect tense for past habits.

3

He desalado el bacalao con agua fría.

I have desalted the cod with cold water.

Present perfect tense.

4

¿Habéis desalado ya las anchoas?

Have you guys already desalted the anchovies?

Present perfect, second person plural (Spain).

5

Mañana desalaré los lomos de bacalao.

Tomorrow I will desalt the cod loins.

Future tense.

6

Si no lo desalas bien, estará muy salado.

If you don't desalt it well, it will be very salty.

First conditional sentence.

7

Estamos desalando el pescado ahora mismo.

We are desalting the fish right now.

Present progressive.

8

Quiero desalar este trozo de carne.

I want to desalt this piece of meat.

Infinitive after a verb of desire.

1

Es fundamental desalar el bacalao en la nevera para que no se estropee.

It's fundamental to desalt the cod in the fridge so it doesn't spoil.

Infinitive used in a general advice sentence.

2

El cocinero desaló el pescado cambiando el agua cada ocho horas.

The cook desalted the fish by changing the water every eight hours.

Preterite tense with a gerund explaining the 'how'.

3

Si desalaras el bacalao con más tiempo, estaría más tierno.

If you desalted the cod for longer, it would be more tender.

Second conditional (imperfect subjunctive + conditional).

4

Me han dicho que hay que desalar estas anchoas en leche.

I've been told that these anchovies need to be desalted in milk.

Impersonal 'hay que' + infinitive.

5

Cuando termines de desalar el pescado, escúrrelo bien.

When you finish desalting the fish, drain it well.

Temporal clause with subjunctive (cuando + subjunctive).

6

El bacalao ya está desalado y listo para el pil-pil.

The cod is already desalted and ready for the pil-pil.

Participle used as an adjective with 'estar'.

7

No creo que haga falta desalar estas aceitunas.

I don't think it's necessary to desalt these olives.

Subjunctive after a negative belief (no creo que).

8

Se recomienda desalar las piezas grandes durante 48 horas.

It is recommended to desalt the large pieces for 48 hours.

Passive 'se' construction.

1

Asegúrate de que el agua esté bien fría al desalar el pescado.

Make sure the water is very cold when desalting the fish.

Subjunctive in a noun clause after a command.

2

Aunque parezca fácil, desalar bien requiere paciencia y técnica.

Although it seems easy, desalting well requires patience and technique.

Concessive clause with 'aunque' + subjunctive.

3

El éxito de la receta depende de cómo hayas desalado el ingrediente principal.

The success of the recipe depends on how you have desalted the main ingredient.

Indirect question with perfect subjunctive.

4

Había desalado el bacalao con antelación, pero aún así estaba algo fuerte.

I had desalted the cod in advance, but it was still a bit strong.

Past perfect (pluperfect) tense.

5

Para desalar correctamente, coloca la piel del bacalao hacia arriba.

To desalt correctly, place the cod skin facing upwards.

Imperative for technical instructions.

6

Dudo que el restaurante desale el pescado de forma tradicional.

I doubt that the restaurant desalts the fish in a traditional way.

Subjunctive after a verb of doubt.

7

El proceso de desalar es vital para eliminar el exceso de sodio.

The process of desalting is vital for removing excess sodium.

Infinitive used as a noun (gerund equivalent in English).

8

Si hubieras desalado el bacalao ayer, hoy ya podríamos comerlo.

If you had desalted the cod yesterday, we could eat it today.

Third conditional (pluperfect subjunctive + conditional).

1

La maestría en el desalado del bacalao distingue a un buen chef de uno mediocre.

Mastery in desalting cod distinguishes a good chef from a mediocre one.

Abstract noun phrase using 'desalado'.

2

Resulta imperativo desalar el producto con rigurosidad para no alterar su textura molecular.

It is imperative to desalt the product rigorously so as not to alter its molecular texture.

Formal register with complex vocabulary.

3

Pese a haber desalado la cecina, el guiso mantenía un regusto salino muy marcado.

Despite having desalted the cured beef, the stew maintained a very marked saline aftertaste.

Preposition 'pese a' + infinitive compound.

4

Cualquier error al desalar puede arruinar irreparablemente un plato de alta cocina.

Any error when desalting can irreparably ruin a haute cuisine dish.

Adverbial use of 'al' + infinitive.

5

Se debate si es mejor desalar en agua corriente o mediante cambios periódicos.

It is debated whether it is better to desalt in running water or through periodic changes.

Passive voice with an indirect question.

6

Espero que no se os haya olvidado desalar los arenques para el aperitivo.

I hope you haven't forgotten to desalt the herrings for the appetizer.

Complex subjunctive with accidental 'se'.

7

El proceso mediante el cual se desala el pescado es un ejemplo perfecto de ósmosis inversa.

The process by which fish is desalted is a perfect example of reverse osmosis.

Relative clause with 'el cual'.

8

No por mucho desalar amanece más temprano el plato en la mesa.

No matter how much you desalt, the dish won't appear on the table any sooner (play on a proverb).

Creative use of a proverb structure.

1

La técnica de desalar el bacalao ha sido, históricamente, el eje vertebrador de la cocina de vigilia.

The technique of desalting cod has historically been the backbone of Lenten cuisine.

Sophisticated historical and cultural analysis.

2

Sería una temeridad gastronómica no desalar convenientemente una pieza de tal calibre.

It would be a gastronomic recklessness not to conveniently desalt a piece of such caliber.

Use of high-level vocabulary like 'temeridad' and 'calibre'.

3

El autor utiliza el verbo desalar como una metáfora de la purificación del alma en su última novela.

The author uses the verb 'desalar' as a metaphor for the purification of the soul in his latest novel.

Metaphorical and literary application.

4

Aun cuando la industria ofrezca productos ya desalados, el purista prefiere realizar el proceso in situ.

Even when the industry offers already desalted products, the purist prefers to carry out the process on-site.

Concessive clause with 'aun cuando' + subjunctive.

5

La salinidad remanente tras desalar el producto debe ser casi imperceptible al paladar experto.

The remaining salinity after desalting the product must be almost imperceptible to the expert palate.

Precise vocabulary: 'remanente', 'imperceptible', 'paladar'.

6

Podríamos desalar el discurso político de hipérboles para llegar a la esencia del problema.

We could 'desalt' political discourse of hyperboles to reach the essence of the problem.

Figurative use in a sociopolitical context.

7

No hay tratado de cocina española que no dedique un capítulo entero al arte de desalar.

There is no Spanish cookbook that does not dedicate an entire chapter to the art of desalting.

Double negative for emphasis.

8

La desalinización de los suelos es un reto que comparte raíces etimológicas con el simple acto de desalar un pescado.

The desalination of soils is a challenge that shares etymological roots with the simple act of desalting a fish.

Interdisciplinary linguistic connection.

Häufige Kollokationen

desalar el bacalao
desalar en agua fría
desalar durante 48 horas
desalar las anchoas
desalar en la nevera
tiempo de desalar
cambiar el agua para desalar
desalar por completo
bacalao para desalar
planta de desalar

Häufige Phrasen

Poner a desalar

— To start the process of desalting by putting the food in water.

Puse el bacalao a desalar anoche.

Ya está desalado

— A phrase used to indicate the process is finished.

El pescado ya está desalado, podemos empezar.

Sin desalar

— Referring to food that still has all its preserving salt.

No te comas eso sin desalar, está malísimo.

Mal desalado

— Used to describe a dish that remains too salty because the process was rushed.

Este plato está mal desalado, no se puede comer.

Desalar a conciencia

— To desalt very thoroughly and carefully.

Hay que desalar a conciencia estas piezas tan gruesas.

Listo para desalar

— Ready to begin the desalting process.

El bacalao ya está cortado y listo para desalar.

Falta por desalar

— Something that still needs to go through the process.

Aún nos falta por desalar la cecina.

Desalar paso a paso

— To follow the instructions for desalting carefully.

Te enseñaré a desalar paso a paso.

Trucos para desalar

— Tips or shortcuts for the desalting process.

¿Conoces algún truco para desalar más rápido?

Agua de desalar

— The water used in the process, which becomes very salty.

Tira el agua de desalar y pon agua limpia.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"Desalarse por algo"

— To long for or desire something intensely (figurative).

Se desala por un trozo de pastel.

colloquial/archaic
"Desalarse los ojos"

— To cry intensely or to look at something with great longing.

Se le desalaban los ojos mirando el escaparate.

literary
"Estar desalado"

— To be out of breath or very agitated (rare).

Llegó desalado a la meta.

archaic
"Desalar las alas"

— To clip someone's wings or limit their freedom (metaphorical).

Le desalaron las alas antes de que pudiera triunfar.

poetic
"Ir desalado"

— To go very fast or in a hurry.

Iba desalado por la calle.

literary
"Desalar el corazón"

— To empty the heart of bitterness.

Necesito desalar el corazón de tanto rencor.

poetic
"A paso desalado"

— At a very fast, hurried pace.

Caminaba a paso desalado hacia su destino.

archaic
"Desalar la pena"

— To wash away one's sorrow.

El tiempo ayuda a desalar la pena.

poetic
"Como alma que desala"

— Like a soul in a great hurry (similar to 'como alma que lleva el diablo').

Salió de allí como alma que desala.

colloquial/old-fashioned
"Desalar la vida"

— To make life less harsh or 'salty'.

Su risa ayuda a desalar la vida diaria.

figurative

Wortfamilie

Substantive

desalación
desalador
desaladura
sal
salazón

Verben

salar
desalinizar
ensalar

Adjektive

desalado
salado
salino
salitroso

Verwandt

salina
salero
salitre
salmuera
salitre

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of 'De-Salt-Ar'. 'De' is 'remove', 'Sal' is 'salt', and 'Ar' makes it a verb. Remove-Salt-Verb.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a hard, white, salt-covered fish being placed into a clear bowl of blue water. Watch the white salt disappear.

Word Web

Bacalao Agua Nevera Tiempo Sal Cocina Remojo Receta

Herausforderung

Write a three-step instruction for a friend on how to desalt cod using the imperative form of 'desalar'.

Wortherkunft

From the Latin prefix 'de-' (expressing removal) and the Latin 'sal' (salt).

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To remove salt from a substance.

Romance (Latin-derived).

Kultureller Kontext

No specific sensitivities; it is a neutral culinary term.

In English-speaking countries, fresh fish is more common, so 'to desalt' is a rare verb. We usually say 'soak' or 'rinse'.

The recipe for 'Bacalao al Pil-Pil' by Karlos Arguiñano. Traditional Spanish cookbooks like '1080 Recetas de Cocina' by Simone Ortega. Historical accounts of the Basque cod fishing fleets in the Atlantic.
War das hilfreich?
Noch keine Kommentare. Sei der Erste, der seine Gedanken teilt!