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A1 verb 12 Min. Lesezeit

vaciar

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Erklärung vaciar in your Level:

At the A1 level, the word 'vaciar' is a simple action verb. It is something you do in the kitchen or while cleaning. You use it to describe moving things out of a container. For example, 'Yo vacío el vaso' (I empty the glass). At this stage, you only need to focus on the present tense and the most common objects: glasses, plates, bags, and trash cans. You should learn that it is an -ar verb, but pay attention to the accent on the 'í' in 'vacío'. This is one of the first 'irregular-looking' verbs you might meet, but it is very logical once you hear it. Think of it as a way to talk about your daily chores and basic needs. If you are thirsty and finish a bottle, you have 'vaciado' the bottle. It is a very practical word for survival Spanish.

As an A2 learner, you start to use 'vaciar' in more varied contexts, including the past tense and the imperative (commands). You will use it to talk about cleaning your room ('Vacía tus cajones') or helping with the recycling ('Hay que vaciar las botellas'). You also begin to see it in digital contexts, like 'vaciar la papelera' on your computer. At this level, you should be comfortable with the reflexive form 'vaciarse' to describe things like a room emptying out after a class. You are building the ability to describe sequences of actions: 'Primero vacío la mochila, luego limpio los libros'. You also start to use prepositions like 'en' and 'de' correctly with the verb, allowing you to say where you are emptying things.

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At the B1 level, you move beyond simple physical actions. You start to use 'vaciar' in more abstract and professional ways. You might talk about 'vaciar una cuenta bancaria' (emptying a bank account) or 'vaciar la mente' (emptying the mind). You are also expected to handle the subjunctive forms ('Espero que vacíes la basura') and more complex tenses like the conditional. You begin to understand the difference between 'vaciar' and its synonyms like 'desocupar' or 'descargar'. At this stage, you should be able to follow more complex instructions in a workplace or a technical manual that uses the verb. You also start to encounter the word in news reports, especially regarding social issues like rural depopulation.

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By B2, you should have a nuanced understanding of 'vaciar'. You can use it figuratively to describe emotional states or creative processes. For example, 'El actor se vació en el escenario' (The actor gave everything on stage). You understand the social and political weight of terms like 'la España vaciada'. You are also capable of using the verb in more formal writing, perhaps choosing 'evacuar' or 'desalojar' when appropriate but knowing that 'vaciar' is a versatile and powerful choice. Your grasp of the conjugation is perfect, including the tricky accentuation in the present and the stress patterns in all moods. You can also use it in idiomatic expressions without hesitation, like 'vaciar el buche'.

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At the C1 level, you appreciate the stylistic potential of 'vaciar'. You might use it in literary analysis to describe a 'discurso vacío' (an empty speech) or the act of 'vaciar de contenido' (stripping of meaning). You understand its use in specialized fields like law (vaciar un testamento), medicine, or engineering with precision. You can discuss the philosophical implications of 'the void' using the related noun 'vacío' and the verb 'vaciar'. Your vocabulary is rich enough that you choose 'vaciar' deliberately for its specific phonetic and rhythmic qualities in a sentence. You are also aware of regional variations and archaic uses that might appear in older literature or specific dialects.

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At the C2 level, 'vaciar' is a tool for absolute precision and rhetorical flair. You can use it to describe the most subtle transitions from fullness to emptiness in poetry or high-level academic prose. You understand the deepest etymological roots of the word and how it connects to other Latin-based languages. You can navigate the most complex grammatical structures involving the verb, such as passive se constructions or intricate relative clauses. You are also a master of the word's cultural resonance, able to use it to evoke specific historical or social imagery in the minds of native speakers. For you, 'vaciar' is not just a verb; it is a concept that you can manipulate to express the finest shades of meaning.

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vaciar in 30 Sekunden

Vaciar is a versatile Spanish verb meaning 'to empty', used for physical containers, digital spaces, and emotional or abstract contexts in daily life.
It requires careful attention to the accent on the 'í' in present tense forms like 'vacío' to ensure correct pronunciation and grammar.
The verb can be used transitively (emptying something) or reflexively (something becoming empty), offering flexibility in describing various events and processes.
Commonly heard in household chores, technology, and professional settings, it is a high-frequency word essential for basic and advanced communication.

The Spanish verb vaciar is a fundamental action word that every learner must master early in their journey. At its most basic level, it translates to 'to empty' in English. However, the nuance of the word extends far beyond simply making a container void of its contents. It encompasses the physical act of pouring, the mechanical act of draining, and the metaphorical act of emotional release. When you use vaciar, you are describing a transition from a state of fullness to a state of nothingness within a specific vessel or space.

Physical Displacement: This is the primary usage. Whether you are pouring water out of a glass, dumping sand from a boot, or removing groceries from a bag, you are performing the action of vaciar. It implies a deliberate removal of what was inside.
Digital and Abstract Spaces: In the modern era, vaciar has found a permanent home in technology. You will 'vaciar la papelera' (empty the trash) on your computer or 'vaciar la memoria caché' (clear the cache). It denotes the deletion of data to create space.
Emotional and Figurative Depth: When a person 'se vacía' (empties themselves), they are often expressing their deepest feelings or exhausting their creative energy. It is a powerful way to describe total exhaustion or total honesty.

Es necesario vaciar el cubo de basura antes de que empiece a oler mal en toda la cocina.

— A practical daily instruction regarding household chores.

Understanding the frequency of this word is key. It is not a rare, academic term; it is a high-frequency verb used in kitchens, construction sites, hospitals, and offices. In a kitchen, a chef might tell an assistant to vaciar a pot of boiling water. On a construction site, workers vacían cement into a mold. In a medical context, a nurse might need to vaciar a drainage bag. The versatility of the word comes from its clear focus on the result: the state of being vacío (empty).

El artista decidió vaciar su mente de todas las distracciones antes de empezar a pintar su obra maestra.

Furthermore, vaciar can be used in the context of people leaving a place. When a stadium 'se vacía' after a football match, it describes the mass exodus of spectators. This reflexive form, vaciarse, is crucial for describing events where the container (the stadium) is the subject of the action of becoming empty. It provides a sense of scale and movement that the simple English 'to empty' sometimes lacks in descriptive power.

Tienes que vaciar los bolsillos antes de meter los pantalones en la lavadora.

Industrial Use: In manufacturing, vaciar refers to the casting process where molten metal or plastic is poured into a mold. This specific technical meaning highlights the word's precision.

No podemos vaciar el estanque sin permiso de las autoridades locales.

Mastering the usage of vaciar requires an understanding of its transitive and reflexive forms. As a transitive verb, it requires a direct object—the thing being emptied. As a reflexive verb (vaciarse), it focuses on the subject itself becoming empty or the process of emptying occurring automatically.

The Transitive Pattern: Structure: [Subject] + [vaciar] + [Direct Object]. Example: 'Yo vacío la mochila' (I empty the backpack). Here, the focus is on the action performed on the object.
The Reflexive Pattern: Structure: [Subject] + [Pronoun] + [vaciar]. Example: 'La sala se vació rápidamente' (The room emptied quickly). This is used when a space becomes empty due to the occupants leaving.

Por favor, vacía el contenido de la caja sobre la mesa para que podamos revisarlo.

— A command using the imperative form.

When using vaciar with liquids, it often implies pouring out. If you say 'vacié el vino en el fregadero' (I emptied the wine into the sink), you are describing the act of discarding. If you say 'vacié el vino en las copas', you are describing the act of serving. The preposition that follows (en, sobre, de) significantly changes the context of the sentence.

Después de la fiesta, tuvimos que vaciar todas las botellas vacías en el contenedor de reciclaje.

In more complex sentences, vaciar can be used to describe the removal of people from a building for safety reasons, though 'evacuar' is more formal. For example, 'La policía decidió vaciar el edificio tras la amenaza' (The police decided to empty the building after the threat). This emphasizes the physical clearance of the space.

Si no vacías tu mente de pensamientos negativos, no podrás concentrarte en el examen.

Prepositional Usage: 'Vaciar de' is used to specify what is being removed. 'Vaciaron el almacén de mercancías' (They emptied the warehouse of goods). 'Vaciar en' indicates the destination. 'Lo vació en un tarro' (He emptied it into a jar).

El fontanero tuvo que vaciar las tuberías para evitar que se congelaran durante el invierno.

You will encounter vaciar in a multitude of real-world scenarios, from the mundane to the professional. Its presence in daily life is constant, making it a pillar of functional Spanish. Whether you are living in Spain, Mexico, or Argentina, the contexts remain largely consistent, though the objects being emptied might change based on local customs.

The Domestic Sphere: In any Spanish-speaking household, vaciar is heard during chores. 'Vacía el lavavajillas' (Empty the dishwasher) or 'Vacía el cenicero' (Empty the ashtray). It is a verb of maintenance and order.
In the Kitchen and Restaurants: Chefs and waiters use it constantly. A waiter might ask, '¿Puedo vaciar esta bandeja?' (Can I empty/clear this tray?). In recipes, you might read, 'Vaciar el contenido del sobre en un litro de leche'.
Public Spaces and Events: At the end of a movie or a concert, security might say, 'Hay que vaciar la sala' (The room must be emptied). This is a standard procedure for clearing venues.

Al final de la jornada, los cajeros deben vaciar la caja registradora y contar el dinero.

— A common workplace instruction in retail.

In professional settings, vaciar takes on more specific roles. In a logistics warehouse, workers vacían containers of imported goods. In a hospital, medical staff vacían bladders or stomachs using specialized equipment. In the digital world, IT professionals vacían servers or databases during maintenance. The word is universal because the concept of 'emptying' is a prerequisite for 'refilling' or 'cleaning'.

El camión de la basura pasa a las once para vaciar los contenedores de la calle.

Socially, vaciar can also appear in leisure. 'Vaciar una botella de vino entre amigos' implies a shared, enjoyable experience. In sports, a commentator might say a player 'se vació en el campo', meaning they gave every ounce of energy they had, leaving nothing in reserve. This figurative use is highly emotive and common in sports journalism.

Tuve que vaciar mi cuenta de ahorros para pagar la reparación del coche.

Technology Usage: 'Vaciar la papelera' is the standard phrase for 'Empty the Trash' in Spanish operating systems like Windows or macOS. You will see this button daily if you work on a computer.

While vaciar seems straightforward, English speakers and even intermediate Spanish learners often stumble over its conjugation and its distinction from similar verbs. Avoiding these pitfalls will make your Spanish sound significantly more natural and precise.

The Accentuation Trap: The most common mistake is failing to put the accent on the 'i' in certain present tense forms. It is vacío, vacías, vacía, vacían. Without the accent, the word is either mispronounced or confused with other forms. Remember: 'vacio' (without accent) does not exist as a verb form.
Confusion with 'Vagar' or 'Vacilar': Learners sometimes mix up vaciar with vagar (to wander) or vacilar (to hesitate/to tease). While they share a similar sound profile, their meanings are entirely unrelated. Vaciar is about containers; vacilar is about social interaction or indecision.

Incorrect: Yo vacio el agua.
Correct: Yo vacío el agua.

— The accent mark is essential for correct pronunciation and grammar.

Another frequent error is the misuse of the reflexive form. Learners often say 'La gente vació el estadio' when they mean 'El estadio se vació'. While the first is grammatically correct (The people emptied the stadium), the second is much more common when describing the general phenomenon of a place becoming empty. Using the reflexive adds a layer of 'natural occurrence' to the description.

No confundas vaciar (to empty) con bajar (to lower/go down). A veces los principiantes dicen 'bajar la basura' cuando quieren decir 'vaciar el cubo'.

In writing, the gerund form vaciando is often misspelled as 'vaciendo'. Because it is an -ar verb, it must take the -ando ending. Similarly, the past participle is vaciado. These are regular in their formation, but the 'i' in the root can sometimes lead learners to think it belongs to the -er or -ir conjugation groups.

Estoy vaciando los cajones para organizar mejor mi ropa de verano.

The 'De' vs 'En' Confusion: English speakers often say 'empty out of' or 'empty into'. In Spanish, you vacías algo de algo (empty something of something) or vacías algo en algo (empty something into something). Forgetting the preposition or using the wrong one can change the meaning significantly.

While vaciar is the most common way to say 'to empty', Spanish offers a rich variety of alternatives that can provide more specific meaning depending on the context. Choosing the right synonym can elevate your speech from basic to sophisticated.

Desocupar: This is specifically used for spaces like rooms, houses, or seats. While you vacías a bottle, you desocupas a room. It implies making a space available for others to use. Example: 'Tuvimos que desocupar la habitación antes del mediodía'.
Verter: This is the best choice for liquids. It translates more closely to 'to pour' or 'to spill'. If the focus is on the liquid being moved rather than the container being emptied, verter is your word. Example: 'Vertió el café en la taza con mucho cuidado'.
Agotar: Used when you empty something by using it all up. You agotas resources, patience, or the stock of a product. It implies a process of consumption. Example: 'Hemos agotado todas nuestras reservas de agua'.

Es mejor desocupar el asiento para la señora mayor que acaba de subir al autobús.

— 'Desocupar' focuses on the space being made available.

In technical or formal contexts, you might use evacuar. While it can mean 'to evacuate' a building, it is also used in medical contexts (evacuar el intestino) or engineering (evacuar aguas residuales). It sounds much more professional and clinical than vaciar. Another alternative is desalojar, which specifically refers to removing people or things from a place, often by force or official order.

El camarero procedió a verter el champán en las copas de los novios.

Finally, consider descargar. If you are emptying a truck, a ship, or even a gun, descargar (to unload) is the more precise term. It implies the removal of a load or a charge. In computing, it also means 'to download', but its original sense of 'unloading' is still very much alive in physical contexts.

Los obreros están descargando los materiales de construcción frente a la obra.

Limpiar vs Vaciar: While sometimes used interchangeably in casual speech ('Vacía tu cuarto'), limpiar refers to removing dirt, while vaciar refers to removing objects. You vacías a closet to limpiar it more easily.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The word 'vacaciones' (vacations) comes from the same root because it refers to time that is 'empty' of work or obligations.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /baˈθjaɾ/

US /baˈsjaɾ/

The stress is on the last syllable 'ar' in the infinitive. In conjugated forms like 'vacío', the stress moves to the 'í'.

Reimt sich auf

enviar confiar limpiar ampliar guiar fiar liar espiar

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing the 'v' like an English 'v' (with teeth on lip).
Failing to accent the 'í' in present tense forms.
Making the 'r' too strong or English-like at the end.
Using a hard 'k' sound for 'ci' (it is never 'vakiar').
Merging the 'i' and 'a' into a single sound in 'vacío'.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

Easy to recognize due to its similarity to 'vacuum' and 'vacant'.

Schreiben 4/5

The accent on the 'í' in present tense can be tricky for beginners.

Sprechen 3/5

Requires correct stress on the 'í' and a soft 'v' sound.

Hören 2/5

Generally clear, though reflexive 'se vació' can be fast.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

vacío (adjective) limpiar sacar poner cosa

Als Nächstes lernen

llenar rellenar verter desocupar agotar

Fortgeschritten

evacuar desalojar trasvasar exhumar depurar

Wichtige Grammatik

Accentuation of verbs ending in -iar

Verbs like 'vaciar' and 'enviar' take an accent on the 'i' in the singular and 3rd person plural present indicative (vacío, envías).

Reflexive pronouns with verbs of movement

Use 'se' when a space empties itself ('El cine se vació') to focus on the event rather than an agent.

Prepositional objects with 'de'

When specifying the contents removed, use 'de' (Vaciar el cubo de basura).

Imperative mood for instructions

Use 'vacía' (informal) or 'vacíe' (formal) for commands.

Gerund formation for -ar verbs

'Vaciar' becomes 'vaciando' by adding -ando to the root.

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Beispiele nach Niveau

Yo vacío mi mochila en la mesa.

I empty my backpack on the table.

Notice the accent on 'vacío'.

Por favor, vacía el vaso de agua.

Please, empty the glass of water.

Imperative (command) form for 'tú'.

Ella vacía la papelera todos los días.

She empties the trash can every day.

Present tense, third person singular.

¿Puedes vaciar el plato?

Can you empty the plate?

Infinitive form used with the helper verb 'poder'.

Nosotros vaciamos la caja de juguetes.

We empty the toy box.

Notice no accent on 'vaciamos'.

Ellos vacían las bolsas de la compra.

They empty the shopping bags.

Present tense, third person plural.

Tengo que vaciar mis bolsillos.

I have to empty my pockets.

Periphrastic construction 'tener que' + infinitive.

Vacía el cubo, por favor.

Empty the bucket, please.

Informal imperative.

Ayer vacié todo el armario para limpiarlo.

Yesterday I emptied the whole closet to clean it.

Preterite (past) tense, first person singular.

Tienes que vaciar la papelera de reciclaje del ordenador.

You have to empty the recycle bin on the computer.

Digital context usage.

El estadio se vació en pocos minutos.

The stadium emptied in a few minutes.

Reflexive use 'se vació'.

Vaciamos la piscina antes del invierno.

We emptied the pool before winter.

Preterite tense, first person plural.

No vacíes la botella todavía, queda un poco.

Don't empty the bottle yet, there's a bit left.

Negative imperative (uses subjunctive).

El camarero vació las cenizas del cenicero.

The waiter emptied the ashes from the ashtray.

Direct object with 'de'.

Estamos vaciando el trastero para la mudanza.

We are emptying the storage room for the move.

Present progressive with 'vaciando'.

Si vacías el cajón, encontrarás tus llaves.

If you empty the drawer, you will find your keys.

Conditional 'if' clause.

Es importante vaciar la mente antes de meditar.

It is important to empty the mind before meditating.

Abstract/figurative usage.

Vaciaron la cuenta bancaria sin su permiso.

They emptied the bank account without his permission.

Financial context.

Dudo que vacíen el edificio hoy mismo.

I doubt they will empty the building today.

Subjunctive mood after 'dudo que'.

El camión de la basura ya ha vaciado los contenedores.

The garbage truck has already emptied the bins.

Present perfect tense.

Al vaciar el saco, salieron muchas manzanas rojas.

Upon emptying the sack, many red apples came out.

'Al' + infinitive meaning 'upon doing'.

Me gustaría que vaciaras tu armario de ropa vieja.

I would like you to empty your closet of old clothes.

Imperfect subjunctive after 'me gustaría que'.

Vacié mis ahorros para comprar este billete de avión.

I emptied my savings to buy this plane ticket.

Figurative use for spending all money.

El fontanero está vaciando la caldera para repararla.

The plumber is draining the boiler to repair it.

Technical/maintenance context.

El delantero se vació en el campo para conseguir el gol.

The striker gave his all on the field to get the goal.

Reflexive figurative use meaning 'to give one's all'.

La película consiguió vaciar las calles de la ciudad.

The movie managed to empty the city streets.

Causative sense of emptying a space.

Vaciaron el contenido del informe en la prensa.

They leaked the contents of the report to the press.

Metaphorical use for revealing information.

Si no hubieras vaciado el depósito, no estaríamos parados aquí.

If you hadn't emptied the tank, we wouldn't be stuck here.

Past perfect subjunctive in a conditional sentence.

El artista se vacía emocionalmente en cada una de sus obras.

The artist empties himself emotionally in each of his works.

Reflexive emotional usage.

Es necesario vaciar de prejuicios nuestra visión del mundo.

It is necessary to empty our vision of the world of prejudices.

Abstract philosophical usage.

Vaciaron el local por falta de pago del alquiler.

They cleared out the premises due to non-payment of rent.

Legal/business context.

No paró de hablar hasta que vació todo lo que sentía.

He didn't stop talking until he poured out everything he felt.

Figurative use for verbalizing feelings.

La crisis demográfica está vaciando los pueblos del interior.

The demographic crisis is emptying the inland villages.

Sociological context ('España vaciada').

El autor vacía de significado las palabras a través de la repetición.

The author strips words of meaning through repetition.

Literary/Linguistic analysis.

Vaciaron el cargamento ilegal antes de que llegara la aduana.

They dumped the illegal cargo before customs arrived.

Narrative/Action context.

El escultor utiliza la técnica del vaciado en bronce.

The sculptor uses the bronze casting technique.

Technical noun form 'vaciado'.

La sentencia judicial obligó a vaciar el inmueble en 24 horas.

The court ruling forced the property to be vacated in 24 hours.

Formal legal terminology.

Se vació el alma en aquel último suspiro de arrepentimiento.

His soul was poured out in that last sigh of regret.

Poetic/Literary usage.

Al vaciar el silo, descubrieron que el grano estaba en mal estado.

Upon emptying the silo, they discovered the grain was in bad condition.

Industrial/Agricultural context.

No podemos permitir que el consumismo vacíe nuestros valores.

We cannot allow consumerism to hollow out our values.

Social critique/Abstract usage.

El discurso, aunque elocuente, estaba totalmente vaciado de contenido político real.

The speech, though eloquent, was completely devoid of real political content.

Sophisticated rhetorical analysis.

La ontología existencialista se pregunta si el ser puede vaciarse de sí mismo.

Existentialist ontology asks if the being can empty itself of itself.

Philosophical terminology.

Vaciaron la estancia con una celeridad que rayaba en lo sobrenatural.

They cleared the room with a speed that bordered on the supernatural.

High-level literary narrative.

El proceso de vaciado del metal requiere una precisión milimétrica en la temperatura.

The metal casting process requires millimetric precision in temperature.

Advanced technical/industrial usage.

Se ha procedido a vaciar las arcas públicas para financiar proyectos faraónicos.

They have proceeded to drain the public coffers to finance pharaonic projects.

Political/Economic idiom 'vaciar las arcas'.

La vanguardia artística buscaba vaciar el lienzo de toda referencia figurativa.

The artistic avant-garde sought to empty the canvas of all figurative reference.

Art history/Theoretical context.

El drenaje linfático ayuda a vaciar los tejidos de toxinas acumuladas.

Lymphatic drainage helps clear tissues of accumulated toxins.

Specialized medical context.

Aquel silencio vació la habitación de cualquier rastro de esperanza.

That silence emptied the room of any trace of hope.

Abstract poetic personification.

Häufige Kollokationen

vaciar la papelera

vaciar el buche

vaciar la cuenta

vaciar los bolsillos

vaciar la mente

vaciar el cargador

vaciar el depósito

vaciar de contenido

vaciar a presión

vaciar el armario

Häufige Phrasen

vaciar el vaso

— To drink the entire contents of a glass or to pour it out. Often used in toasts.

¡Vaciad los vasos por la salud del cumpleañero!

vaciar la casa

— To remove all furniture and belongings from a home, usually for a move or sale.

Tardamos tres días en vaciar la casa de mis abuelos.

vaciar la tripa

— A somewhat crude or direct way to refer to having a bowel movement.

El niño necesita vaciar la tripa antes de salir.

vaciar el saco

— To say everything that has been bothering you; to vent.

Necesitaba vaciar el saco y contarle toda la verdad.

vaciar el estante

— To remove all items from a shelf, often during a sale or for cleaning.

Los clientes vaciaron los estantes durante las rebajas.

vaciar el maletero

— To take everything out of a car's trunk.

Ayúdame a vaciar el maletero después del viaje.

vaciar la mochila

— To unpack a backpack, usually after school or a trip.

Vacía tu mochila y pon la ropa sucia a lavar.

vaciar el cenicero

— To dump the ashes and butts from an ashtray.

Huele a humo, por favor vacía el cenicero.

vaciar el fregadero

— To drain the water from a sink or clear it of dishes.

Vacía el fregadero para que pueda lavar las verduras.

vaciar el cargamento

— To unload the goods from a vehicle or ship.

Empezarán a vaciar el cargamento al amanecer.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

vaciar vs vacilar

Means to hesitate or to tease someone. Sounds similar but unrelated.

vaciar vs vagar

Means to wander or roam. Easy to confuse for beginners.

vaciar vs bajar

Means to lower. People often say 'bajar la basura' instead of 'vaciar el cubo'.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"vaciar el buche"

— To confess something or reveal a secret that was being kept.

La policía hizo que el ladrón vaciara el buche.

Colloquial

"vaciar las arcas"

— To spend all the money in a treasury or a collective fund.

Las fiestas del pueblo han vaciado las arcas municipales.

Formal/Journalistic

"vaciarse por dentro"

— To feel an extreme sense of emotional loss or exhaustion.

Después de la ruptura, sentía que se había vaciado por dentro.

Literary/Emotional

"vaciar el cargador (en alguien)"

— To shoot all the bullets in a gun at someone; figuratively, to unleash all one's anger.

En la película, el protagonista vacía el cargador contra el villano.

Informal/Dramatic

"vaciar la bolsa"

— To spend a lot of money or to pay a high price for something.

Comprar esa casa me va a obligar a vaciar la bolsa.

Informal

"vaciarse de contenido"

— When something loses its original meaning, value, or purpose.

Muchos críticos creen que el arte moderno se ha vaciado de contenido.

Academic

"vaciar el corazón"

— To express all one's feelings, usually to find relief.

Le escribí una carta para vaciar mi corazón.

Poetic

"vaciar el depósito (de energía)"

— To use up every bit of energy one has.

El maratón me obligó a vaciar el depósito.

Sports

"vaciar la caja"

— To take all the money out of a cash register, often implying theft or closing for the day.

Los ladrones vaciaron la caja en menos de un minuto.

Neutral

"vaciar un pleito"

— An archaic or very formal way to refer to settling a legal dispute.

Los abogados intentan vaciar el pleito antes de ir a juicio.

Archaic/Legal

Leicht verwechselbar

vaciar vs desocupar

Both mean to empty.

Vaciar is for containers/vessels; desocupar is for spaces or seats to be used by others.

Vacío la botella, pero desocupo el asiento.

vaciar vs verter

Both involve removing liquid.

Vaciar focuses on the container being empty; verter focuses on the liquid being poured.

Vierto el agua en el vaso hasta vaciar la jarra.

vaciar vs evacuar

Both mean to clear out.

Evacuar is formal, medical, or for emergencies; vaciar is for everyday objects.

Evacuaron el hospital, pero vaciaron las papeleras.

vaciar vs limpiar

Emptying is often part of cleaning.

Limpiar is to remove dirt; vaciar is to remove contents.

Primero vacío el cajón y luego lo limpio.

vaciar vs descargar

Both involve removing things.

Descargar is specifically for a 'load' (carga) on a vehicle or weapon.

Descargamos el camión vaciando todas las cajas.

Satzmuster

[Subject] + vacío + [Object]

Yo vacío mi mochila.

Hay que + vaciar + [Object]

Hay que vaciar la papelera.

Antes de + [Infinitive], hay que + vaciar

Antes de limpiar, hay que vaciar el armario.

Espero que + [Subjunctive]

Espero que vacíes el vaso.

[Subject] + se vació + [Context]

El artista se vació en su obra.

El proceso de + [Noun] + consiste en + vaciar

El proceso de fundición consiste en vaciar el metal.

Vaciar + [Object] + de + [Abstract Noun]

Vaciaron la propuesta de contenido político.

[Passive Se] + procedió a + vaciar

Se procedió a vaciar las arcas del estado.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

vacío (emptiness/vacuum)

vaciado (casting/molding/act of emptying)

vacuidad (vacuity/emptiness)

vacuómetro (vacuum gauge)

Verben

vaciarse (to empty oneself/to become empty)

Adjektive

vacío (empty)

vaciado (emptied)

vacuo (vacuous/empty of meaning)

Verwandt

vacante (vacant)

vacaciones (vacations - related to 'free time')

vacuidad

evacuar

vacuola

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So verwendest du es

frequency

High. It is in the top 2000 most used Spanish verbs.

Häufige Fehler

Writing 'vacio' without an accent. → vacío
Without the accent, the word is misspelled and the pronunciation changes incorrectly.
Saying 'vaciar el cuarto' for 'cleaning the room'. → limpiar el cuarto
Vaciar means to remove everything; limpiar means to make it clean. Use the right one based on your goal.
Conjugating 'vaciamos' with an accent (vacíamos). → vaciamos
In the 'nosotros' form, the stress is on the 'a', so no accent is needed on the 'i'.
Using 'vaciar' for 'to download' files. → descargar
While 'vaciar' is used for the trash bin, 'descargar' is the correct term for downloading files from the internet.
Confusing 'vaciar' with 'vacilar'. → vaciar
Vacilar means to hesitate or joke. Don't tell someone to 'vacilar la basura' unless you want them to tease the trash!

Tipps

The Stress Rule

Remember that in 'vacío', the 'i' and 'o' are in different syllables (va-cí-o). The accent mark is necessary to break the diphthong and put the stress on the 'i'.

Container vs. Space

Use 'vaciar' for things you can hold (bottles, bags) and 'desocupar' for things you can enter (rooms, seats).

Rural Spain

If you are reading Spanish news, 'vaciar' will often appear in articles about 'la despoblación' (depopulation).

Computer Spanish

Change your phone's language to Spanish. You will see 'vaciar' every time you delete photos or messages.

Soft V

Native speakers pronounce the 'v' in 'vaciar' almost exactly like a 'b'. Avoid the English 'v' sound.

Vacuum Connection

Every time you use a vacuum, think: 'I am using this to VACIAR the floor'.

Gerund Spelling

It is 'vaciando' (-ar verb), never 'vaciendo'. Keep the 'a' from the infinitive.

Spill the Beans

To tell a secret, use 'vaciar el buche'. It literally means 'to empty the craw/stomach'.

Construction

If you work in construction, 'vaciar' is what you do with concrete into the forms.

Venting

Use 'vaciarse' when you need to tell someone all your problems. It sounds very natural.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of a 'VACUUM'. A vacuum is designed to VACIAR (empty) the dust from your floor. Both words share the same Latin root 'vacuus'.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a glass of water being poured into a sink until it is completely clear. As the last drop falls, whisper 'vaciar'.

Word Web

Vacío Vacaciones Papelera Llenar Contenedor Mente Cuenta Vaso

Herausforderung

Go around your house and find three things you can 'vaciar' (a trash can, a glass, a pocket). Say 'Voy a vaciar esto' as you do it.

Wortherkunft

Derived from the Latin 'vacuare', which means 'to make empty'. This comes from the adjective 'vacuus', meaning 'empty, free, or vacant'.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To create a space where nothing exists; to clear a vessel.

Romance (Indo-European > Italic > Latin).

Kultureller Kontext

No major sensitivities, but be aware that 'vaciar la tripa' is quite informal and can be considered slightly vulgar in polite company.

English speakers often use 'empty out', 'drain', or 'clear'. Spanish uses 'vaciar' for all these, making it a very high-utility 'umbrella' verb.

The documentary series 'La España Vaciada' exploring rural depopulation. The poem 'El Vacío' by various Spanish-speaking poets focusing on existentialism. Technical manuals for 'vaciado de metales' in historical Spanish industry.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Cleaning/Household

Vaciar la basura
Vaciar el lavavajillas
Vaciar los cajones
Vaciar el armario

Technology

Vaciar la papelera de reciclaje
Vaciar la caché
Vaciar el historial
Vaciar la memoria

Finance

Vaciar la cuenta bancaria
Vaciar la caja registradora
Vaciar la cartera
Vaciar los ahorros

Events/Crowds

Vaciar el estadio
Vaciar la sala
La calle se vació
Vaciar el local

Cooking

Vaciar el contenido del sobre
Vaciar el aceite usado
Vaciar la olla
Vaciar el agua de la pasta

Gesprächseinstiege

"¿Podrías ayudarme a vaciar estas cajas de la mudanza?"

"¿Sabes cómo vaciar la caché de este navegador de internet?"

"¿Has tenido que vaciar tu casa alguna vez para reformarla?"

"¿Crees que es mejor vaciar la mente antes de dormir?"

"¿Por qué crees que se está vaciando el centro de las ciudades?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Describe un momento en el que tuviste que vaciar tu habitación para mudarte a otro lugar.

Escribe sobre una experiencia en la que 'te vaciaste' emocionalmente hablando con un amigo.

¿Qué cosas en tu vida te gustaría 'vaciar' o eliminar para sentirte más ligero?

Imagina que eres un objeto que alguien está vaciando. ¿Cómo te sientes y qué hay dentro de ti?

Reflexiona sobre el problema de la 'España vaciada' y cómo afecta a la cultura de un país.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

No, 'vacio' without an accent is not a valid word in Spanish. The adjective is 'vacío' and the verb form is 'vacío'. Both require the accent on the 'í' to be correct.

The most common way is 'vaciar la basura' or 'vaciar el cubo de la basura'. In some regions, you might hear 'tirar la basura' (to throw out the trash), but 'vaciar' is specifically for the container.

'Vaciar' is transitive (you empty something else), while 'vaciarse' is reflexive (something empties itself or a person expresses all their feelings).

Yes, 'vaciar la papelera' is the standard term for emptying the recycle bin or trash folder on a computer or phone.

It is considered a 'vocalic' irregular verb because the 'i' in the root takes an accent (í) in certain present tense forms to maintain the stress. Other tenses like the preterite are regular.

Yes, you can say 'La sala se vació' (The room emptied out). It describes the collective action of people leaving.

It is a term used to describe rural areas of Spain that have lost most of their population to urban migration, leaving villages 'empty'.

It is 'vaciamos'. Unlike the 'yo' or 'tú' forms, it does not have an accent on the 'i' because the stress naturally falls on the penultimate syllable 'a'.

Yes, in contexts where you empty a container by pouring its liquid into another, like 'vacié el agua en la jarra'.

Yes, it is extremely common and used daily in many different contexts, from cleaning to technology to emotions.

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