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B1 verb #7,500 le plus courant 11 min de lecture

deshidratar

Top 7,500

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces deshidratar en 30 secondes

Explication deshidratar in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'deshidratar' is related to water and health. It comes from 'hidro' (water). Think of it as the opposite of drinking water. You might hear it when someone talks about the sun being very hot. For example: 'Hace mucho calor, no te quieres deshidratar'. It's a bit of a big word for A1, but because it's so similar to 'dehydrate' in English, it's easy to recognize. Just remember: water is good, 'deshidratar' is what happens when water leaves. You should focus on the reflexive form 'deshidratarse' which means 'to get dehydrated'. This is useful if you are feeling sick or tired in the sun. It's a 'cognate', meaning it looks like the English word, which is a great shortcut for beginners. You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet; just know it means 'to lose water'.

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At the A2 level, you can start using 'deshidratar' in more specific situations, like travel and weather. You might describe a trip to the beach: 'Hacía tanto calor que me deshidraté un poco'. You can also use it to describe food in a simple way, like 'fruta deshidratada' (dried fruit) which you might buy as a snack. You are learning that verbs ending in '-ar' are regular, so you can conjugate it: 'Yo me deshidrato', 'Nosotros nos deshidratamos'. You should also notice the 'h' is silent. A2 students should be able to understand a basic health warning on the news or from a doctor using this word. It's about expanding from just 'drinking water' to the more formal concept of 'hydration'. You might also see it in simple recipes or on food packaging in a supermarket.

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At the B1 level, you should master 'deshidratar' as a transitive verb (doing it to something) and a reflexive verb (it happening to you). This is the level where you study culinary processes and health in more detail. You can explain *why* we dehydrate food: 'Deshidratamos la fruta para que dure más tiempo'. You understand the difference between 'secar' (to dry) and 'deshidratar' (to dehydrate). You can use the word in various tenses, including the past and the future: 'Si no hubieras bebido agua, te habrías deshidratado'. You're also starting to see the noun 'deshidratación'. This word is very common in B1 level reading passages about the environment, sports, or cooking. You should be comfortable using it in a sentence with 'para' or 'porque' to give reasons, such as 'Es importante beber electrolitos para no deshidratarse durante el ejercicio intenso'.

At the B2 level, you use 'deshidratar' with more precision and in more technical contexts. You can discuss the science behind it, such as in biology or chemistry classes. You might say, 'El proceso de deshidratación osmótica es fundamental en la industria alimentaria'. You are also aware of its use in more formal writing, like news reports about droughts: 'La falta de lluvias está deshidratando los suelos de la región'. You understand the nuances of the word and can use it metaphorically if needed, though it's less common. You are comfortable with the passive voice: 'Las muestras fueron deshidratadas en un horno especial'. At this stage, you should also know related words like 'deshidratante' (something that causes dehydration) and use them correctly in professional or academic settings. You can compare and contrast 'deshidratar' with other preservation methods like 'congelar' or 'envasar al vacío'.

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At the C1 level, you recognize 'deshidratar' in sophisticated literature and high-level academic discourse. You might find it used metaphorically to describe a lack of emotion or vitality in a text: 'Su prosa deshidratada carecía de la pasión necesaria'. You understand the subtle differences between 'deshidratar', 'disecar', and 'exhumar' in scientific contexts. You can use the word in complex sentence structures, such as those involving the subjunctive or conditional perfect, with total ease. You also understand the historical and cultural weight of the word in the context of traditional food preservation in the Spanish-speaking world, such as the production of 'charqui' or 'mojama'. Your vocabulary is rich enough to use 'deshidratar' when you want to sound precise and professional, avoiding more common words like 'secar' to show your range. You can also discuss the socio-economic impacts of 'deshidratación' in agricultural sectors during climate debates.

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At the C2 level, 'deshidratar' is a tool you use with absolute mastery and stylistic flair. You can appreciate its use in technical medical journals, complex chemical engineering papers, or avant-garde culinary critiques. You might encounter it in archaic texts where the process of 'deshidratación' was described using older terminology, and you can bridge that gap. You are aware of its most obscure synonyms and can choose 'deshidratar' specifically for its rhythmic or phonetic qualities in a piece of creative writing. You understand the physiological minutiae of how a body 'se deshidrata' at a cellular level and can explain this in Spanish. There is no context—be it a high-pressure medical emergency or a molecular gastronomy workshop—where you would feel unsure about using this word. You can also identify and correct subtle misuses of the word in others' speech, such as when a speaker uses it in a way that is slightly 'off' for the intended register.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

deshidratar en 30 secondes

A verb meaning to remove water from something, essentially to dry it out completely.
Commonly used in cooking for food preservation (like dried mango or beef jerky).
Used reflexively (deshidratarse) to describe the medical condition of losing too much body fluid.
A regular -ar verb that is a cognate of the English word 'dehydrate'.

The Spanish verb deshidratar is a multi-faceted term primarily used in two distinct but related contexts: the culinary world and the physiological/biological world. At its core, the word means to remove water or moisture from something. In a culinary sense, it refers to the process of drying food to preserve it, a technique that has been used for millennia across Spanish-speaking cultures, from the high altitudes of the Andes to the sun-drenched plains of Castile. When you talk about making dried fruits, jerky, or even certain types of spices, you are talking about the action of deshidratar. This process concentrates flavors and prevents spoilage by eliminating the environment where bacteria thrive.

Culinary Context: The act of removing moisture from fruits, vegetables, or meats to extend shelf life or create specific textures like 'fruta deshidratada'.
Medical Context: Used reflexively as 'deshidratarse' to describe a body losing more fluid than it takes in, often due to heat, exercise, or illness.
Industrial Context: The large-scale removal of water from chemicals, fuels, or construction materials to improve stability or performance.

Para conservar los tomates durante el invierno, es mejor deshidratar los trozos al sol con un poco de sal.

Beyond food, deshidratar is vital in medical and health discussions. In Spanish, if you forget to drink water during a long hike in the Sierra Nevada, you don't just 'get thirsty'; you run the risk of deshidratarte (dehydrating yourself). This reflexive use is extremely common in daily conversation, sports news, and health advisories. It carries a more serious connotation than simply needing a drink; it implies a physiological state that requires attention. In a more abstract or scientific sense, the word can also apply to chemical reactions where a molecule loses a water component. Whether you are a chef, a doctor, or an engineer, this word is a fundamental part of your technical vocabulary.

Si no bebes suficiente líquido durante el maratón, te vas a deshidratar rápidamente.

In historical contexts, the concept of deshidratar was the key to survival. Ancient civilizations in the Americas used the sun and the dry air of the mountains to dehydrate potatoes, creating 'chuño', which could be stored for years. This cultural heritage makes the word feel very grounded in traditional practices. Today, with the rise of healthy eating trends, 'alimentos deshidratados' (dehydrated foods) are seen in every supermarket, from kale chips to mango strips. Understanding this word allows you to navigate Spanish menus, medical advice, and scientific texts with ease. It is a word that bridges the gap between ancient survival techniques and modern health science.

Synonym: Secar: While 'secar' means to dry, 'deshidratar' is more technical and implies the total removal of internal moisture.

La máquina industrial puede deshidratar toneladas de fruta en pocas horas.

Using deshidratar correctly requires an understanding of its transitivity. As a transitive verb, it takes a direct object—the thing being dried. For example, 'El calor deshidrata la piel' (The heat dehydrates the skin). Here, 'la piel' is the object receiving the action. However, in Spanish, we frequently turn this into a reflexive action when the subject and object are the same, or when describing a state that someone enters. 'Me deshidraté' means 'I became dehydrated'. This distinction is crucial for English speakers who might be used to the English 'I dehydrated', which sounds incomplete in Spanish without the reflexive 'me'.

Es necesario deshidratar las setas antes de pulverizarlas para la sopa.

Transitive Usage: Verbo + Objeto: 'El proceso sirve para deshidratar el alcohol'.
Reflexive Usage: Pronombre + Verbo: 'Los deportistas se deshidratan si no beben electrolitos'.

In terms of conjugation, deshidratar is a regular '-ar' verb. This makes it relatively easy to master. For instance, in the present tense: 'yo deshidrato', 'tú deshidratas', 'él deshidrata'. In the past (pretérito): 'yo deshidraté', 'él deshidrató'. Because it is a technical-sounding word, it is often found in the passive voice or with 'se' impersonal in instructional manuals or recipes: 'Se deshidratan las rodajas de manzana a 60 grados'. This structure focuses on the process rather than the person doing it, which is standard in professional cooking or scientific reporting.

Si dejas la carne al aire en este clima, se va a deshidratar y se pondrá dura.

Furthermore, deshidratar is often paired with adverbs of manner or duration. You might hear 'deshidratar lentamente' (to dehydrate slowly) or 'deshidratar por completo' (to dehydrate completely). In medical warnings, you will see it in the imperative: 'No permita que el paciente se deshidrate'. This versatility across tenses and moods is why it's a B1 level word; it requires a solid grasp of basic grammar but introduces more specific, technical vocabulary. Whether you're describing the weather's effect on the soil or a chef's preparation of a garnish, the sentence structures remain consistent and predictable.

Common Pattern: [Sujeto] + [verbo deshidratar] + [objeto directo] + [método/tiempo].

¿Sabías que puedes deshidratar hierbas en el microondas?

In the real world, you are most likely to encounter deshidratar in four main environments. First, in the kitchen or grocery store. If you visit a 'mercado' in Mexico or Spain, you'll see stalls selling 'frutos secos' and 'fruta deshidratada'. The labels on packaged snacks like beef jerky (cecina or charqui) often explain the process using this verb. TV cooking shows, especially those focused on modern gastronomy or healthy meal prep, frequently use deshidratar when discussing how to make garnishes or preserve seasonal produce. It's a hallmark of professional culinary language that has seeped into the domestic sphere.

En el documental explicaron cómo deshidratar alimentos para los astronautas.

The second major environment is sports and fitness centers. Personal trainers and gym-goers are constantly talking about 'hidratación' and the danger of 'deshidratarse'. You’ll hear it in warnings: '¡Cuidado! Te vas a deshidratar si no bebes más agua'. During major sporting events like the Vuelta a España or the World Cup, commentators often discuss how the heat is 'deshidratando' the players, affecting their performance. It is a word of caution and physical awareness. In these contexts, the word is often associated with the loss of electrolytes and the need for immediate recovery.

El médico me dijo que la fiebre me puede deshidratar muy pronto.

Thirdly, medical and pharmaceutical settings are prime locations for this word. If you go to a 'farmacia' with a stomach bug, the pharmacist might warn you about 'deshidratarse'. Pediatricians use it constantly when talking to parents about babies with fever. It appears on the packaging of rehydration salts (suero oral). Finally, you’ll hear it in scientific or environmental contexts. Climate change reports might mention how rising temperatures are 'deshidratando' the soil, leading to desertification. In a chemistry lab, a professor might instruct students on how to deshidratar a compound using a desiccator. It is a word that signifies a precise physical change, making it indispensable in technical Spanish.

News Headline: 'La sequía extrema está empezando a deshidratar los humedales del sur'.

No olvides deshidratar la muestra antes de pesarla en la balanza.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with deshidratar is forgetting the reflexive 'se' when referring to people. In English, we can say 'I dehydrated during the race', but in Spanish, 'Yo deshidraté' would sound like you were performing a laboratory experiment on yourself or someone else. You must say 'Me deshidraté'. This is a common pattern with verbs of physical state change in Spanish. Another error is confusing deshidratar with secar. While they both mean 'to dry', secar is much broader. You 'secas' your hands with a towel, but you 'deshidratas' fruit in an oven. Using deshidratar for a towel would sound very strange and overly scientific.

Error: Me olvidé de beber agua y deshidraté. (Correct: Me deshidraté).

Spelling Trap: The 'h' is silent but mandatory. Many learners write 'desidratar', which is incorrect. Always remember the 'h' from 'hidro' (water).
Preposition Use: Learners often use 'con' when they should use 'por'. 'Se deshidrató por el calor' (due to the heat) is more common than 'con el calor'.

Another subtle mistake involves the word's pronunciation. Because of the 'h', some learners try to create a breathy sound, but in Spanish, the 'h' is completely silent. The transition from the 's' to the 'i' should be smooth: /des-i-dra-tar/. Furthermore, learners sometimes over-rely on this word when a simpler one would suffice. If you just mean that the sun is drying the clothes, use 'secar'. Reserve deshidratar for processes involving the internal removal of water or biological states. Using a 'big' word when a 'small' one is needed can make your Spanish sound unnaturally formal or 'robotic'.

Incorrect: El sol deshidrata la ropa rápidamente. (Better: El sol seca la ropa).

Lastly, be careful with the word disecar. Some learners confuse deshidratar with disecar (to dissect or to taxidermy/preserve an animal). While both involve drying in some contexts (like preserving a plant specimen), disecar has a much more clinical or biological preservation meaning. If you tell a waiter you want 'fruta disecada', they might look at you funny—it sounds like you want a museum specimen! Stick to 'fruta deshidratada' for snacks. Understanding these nuances prevents embarrassing mix-ups and helps you sound more like a native speaker who understands the appropriate register for different situations.

Common Confusion: Deshidratar (Food/Body) vs. Disecar (Taxidermy/Biology) vs. Secar (General Drying).

When you want to express the idea of removing moisture, Spanish offers a rich palette of words, each with its own shade of meaning. The most common alternative to deshidratar is secar. This is the general, all-purpose verb for drying. You use it for hair, clothes, floors, and even food in a non-technical sense. If deshidratar is the scientific term, secar is the everyday term. However, secar doesn't always imply the total removal of internal water that deshidratar does. For example, a 'clima seco' is a dry climate, but a 'clima deshidratante' would be a climate that actively sucks the moisture out of you.

Podemos secar las uvas al sol para hacer pasas, lo cual es una forma de deshidratarlas.

Evaporar: This means to evaporate. It refers to the water itself turning into vapor, whereas 'deshidratar' refers to the object losing the water.
Enjugar: A more poetic or specific term meaning to wipe away moisture, often used for tears or sweat.

Another interesting alternative is marchitar. While deshidratar is a physical process, marchitar is what happens to flowers and plants when they lose water and begin to die or wilt. You wouldn't say a flower 'se deshidrata' in a casual conversation; you would say 'se marchita'. However, in a botany textbook, you might find deshidratar used to describe the physiological mechanism behind the wilting. There is also disecar, as mentioned before, which is used for preserving plants or animals for study. If you are 'disecando' a flower, you are drying it specifically to keep it as a permanent specimen, perhaps in a book or a frame.

El calor del desierto puede marchitar las plantas y deshidratar a los viajeros.

In the culinary world, you might also hear curar. This means 'to cure'. While curing often involves dehydration (like in 'jamón serrano'), it also involves salt, smoke, or time. Deshidratar is just the water removal part. Lastly, in a very informal sense, people might use chupar (to suck) to describe how something removes moisture, like 'el sol chupa la humedad de la tierra'. While colorful, this is not a substitute for the precise, professional term deshidratar. Choosing the right word depends on whether you are in a kitchen, a hospital, a garden, or just hanging out with friends.

Comparison: Deshidratar vs. Curar: Deshidratar focuses on water loss; Curar focuses on preservation through various means including salt and chemical changes.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The word 'hydro' appears in many English words too, like 'hydrogen' and 'hydrant', making 'deshidratar' very easy for English speakers to remember.

Guide de prononciation

UK /des.i.ðɾaˈtaɾ/

US /des.i.ðɾaˈtaɾ/

The stress is on the last syllable 'tar' because it ends in 'r'.

Rime avec

cantar bailar amar saltar hablar llegar mirar pensar

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the 'h' (it must be silent).
Pronouncing the 's' like a 'z'.
Putting the stress on the wrong syllable.
Making the 'i' sound like 'ai' (it should be 'ee').
Rolling the 'r' too hard (it's a single tap).

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

Easy to recognize due to English cognate 'dehydrate'.

Écriture 3/5

The silent 'h' and reflexive usage can be tricky.

Expression orale 3/5

Requires correct stress on the final syllable.

Écoute 2/5

Clear pronunciation makes it easy to hear.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

agua secar calor beber fruta

Apprends ensuite

hidratación conservar evaporación electrolitos suero

Avancé

liofilizar desecación osmosis diurético higroscópico

Grammaire à connaître

Reflexive Verbs for Bodily States

Me deshidrato (I get dehydrated) vs. Deshidrato la fruta (I dehydrate the fruit).

Regular -AR Verb Conjugation

Yo deshidrato, tú deshidratas, él deshidrata.

Past Participle as Adjective

La manzana está deshidratada (The apple is dehydrated).

Silent 'H' in Spanish

Deshidratar is pronounced 'des-i-dra-tar'.

Stress on Last Syllable for Verbs in Infinitive

des-hi-dra-TAR.

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Exemples par niveau

Bebe agua para no deshidratarte.

Drink water so you don't get dehydrated.

Uses the reflexive form 'deshidratarte'.

El sol puede deshidratar a las personas.

The sun can dehydrate people.

Transitive use of the verb.

¿Quieres fruta deshidratada?

Do you want dried fruit?

Uses the past participle as an adjective.

Tengo miedo de deshidratarme en el camino.

I am afraid of getting dehydrated on the way.

Reflexive infinitive after 'de'.

El perro se puede deshidratar si no tiene agua.

The dog can get dehydrated if it doesn't have water.

Reflexive construction 'se puede deshidratar'.

Mañana va a hacer calor; no te deshidrates.

It's going to be hot tomorrow; don't get dehydrated.

Negative imperative (subjunctive) reflexive.

Comer cosas con mucha sal te puede deshidratar.

Eating things with a lot of salt can dehydrate you.

Transitive use with 'te' as object.

Me deshidraté ayer en el parque.

I got dehydrated yesterday in the park.

Preterite reflexive.

Es importante deshidratar bien la carne para hacer cecina.

It is important to dehydrate the meat well to make cecina.

Infinitive as part of a purpose clause.

Si no bebes, te vas a deshidratar muy rápido.

If you don't drink, you are going to dehydrate very fast.

Future with 'ir a'.

Mi abuela deshidrata hierbas para el té.

My grandmother dehydrates herbs for tea.

Present tense, 3rd person singular.

Compré manzanas deshidratadas en el mercado.

I bought dehydrated apples at the market.

Adjective matching feminine plural noun.

La fiebre alta deshidrata a los niños pequeños.

High fever dehydrates small children.

General statement in present tense.

El aire acondicionado puede deshidratar la piel.

Air conditioning can dehydrate the skin.

Transitive verb with 'la piel' as object.

No debemos deshidratar las plantas por accidente.

We must not dehydrate the plants by accident.

Modal verb 'deber' + infinitive.

El deportista se deshidrató durante la carrera.

The athlete got dehydrated during the race.

Preterite reflexive 3rd person.

Para esta receta, primero hay que deshidratar los tomates.

For this recipe, first you must dehydrate the tomatoes.

Impersonal 'hay que' + infinitive.

Si el paciente sigue con vómitos, se va a deshidratar.

If the patient continues vomiting, they are going to get dehydrated.

Conditional sentence type 1.

He comprado una máquina para deshidratar alimentos en casa.

I have bought a machine to dehydrate food at home.

Present perfect tense.

Es un error deshidratar la carne a una temperatura muy alta.

It is a mistake to dehydrate the meat at a very high temperature.

Infinitive used as a subject.

Dudo que el sol pueda deshidratar todo esto hoy.

I doubt the sun can dehydrate all of this today.

Subjunctive after a verb of doubt.

Los exploradores se deshidrataron al cruzar el desierto.

The explorers got dehydrated while crossing the desert.

Preterite reflexive plural.

Al deshidratar la fruta, el azúcar se concentra más.

By dehydrating the fruit, the sugar becomes more concentrated.

'Al' + infinitive meaning 'upon/by'.

No permitas que tu cuerpo se deshidrate por falta de agua.

Do not allow your body to get dehydrated due to lack of water.

Subjunctive in a command clause.

La industria utiliza químicos para deshidratar el gas natural.

The industry uses chemicals to dehydrate natural gas.

Technical transitive usage.

Se recomienda deshidratar la muestra antes del análisis químico.

It is recommended to dehydrate the sample before the chemical analysis.

Impersonal 'se' construction.

El viento constante está deshidratando los cultivos de la zona.

The constant wind is dehydrating the crops in the area.

Present progressive tense.

A menos que bebas algo, te deshidratarás en menos de una hora.

Unless you drink something, you will dehydrate in less than an hour.

Future tense with 'a menos que' + subjunctive.

La sal se usa frecuentemente para deshidratar y conservar alimentos.

Salt is frequently used to dehydrate and preserve food.

Passive 'se' with infinitive.

Fue necesario deshidratar el sótano tras la inundación.

It was necessary to dehydrate (dry out) the basement after the flood.

Impersonal past 'fue'.

Muchos medicamentos tienen el efecto secundario de deshidratar.

Many medications have the side effect of dehydrating.

Infinitive used as a noun phrase.

Al deshidratarse, la piel pierde su elasticidad natural.

Upon dehydrating, the skin loses its natural elasticity.

Reflexive infinitive with 'Al'.

El autor utiliza un estilo sobrio, casi capaz de deshidratar la emoción.

The author uses a sober style, almost capable of dehydrating emotion.

Metaphorical usage.

La técnica consiste en deshidratar al vacío para mantener los nutrientes.

The technique consists of vacuum dehydrating to maintain nutrients.

Technical culinary term.

Es imperativo no deshidratar excesivamente la madera antes de trabajarla.

It is imperative not to excessively dehydrate the wood before working it.

Adverbial modification 'excesivamente'.

La sequía prolongada ha acabado por deshidratar los acuíferos.

The prolonged drought has ended up dehydrating the aquifers.

Periphrasis 'acabar por' + infinitive.

Cualquier intento de deshidratar la realidad resulta en una obra plana.

Any attempt to dehydrate reality results in a flat work.

Abstract transitive use.

El alcohol, al ser un diurético, tiende a deshidratar el organismo.

Alcohol, being a diuretic, tends to dehydrate the organism.

Scientific explanation.

Incluso tras deshidratar el compuesto, quedaban trazas de humedad.

Even after dehydrating the compound, traces of moisture remained.

'Tras' + infinitive.

Se teme que la política monetaria pueda deshidratar la inversión.

It is feared that monetary policy might dehydrate (drain) investment.

Economic metaphor.

La liofilización es el proceso más avanzado para deshidratar sustancias biológicas.

Freeze-drying is the most advanced process for dehydrating biological substances.

Highly technical context.

No debemos permitir que el discurso político se deshidrate hasta la irrelevancia.

We must not allow political discourse to be dehydrated to the point of irrelevance.

Complex metaphorical reflexive.

El tratamiento térmico corre el riesgo de deshidratar los polímeros.

Heat treatment runs the risk of dehydrating the polymers.

Material science application.

La críitica acusó al director de deshidratar el drama original.

The critic accused the director of dehydrating the original drama.

Artistic critique.

Se procedió a deshidratar la zona afectada mediante drenajes profundos.

They proceeded to dehydrate (drain) the affected area using deep drains.

Formal administrative/technical style.

La ósmosis inversa se emplea para deshidratar soluciones salinas complejas.

Reverse osmosis is used to dehydrate complex saline solutions.

Chemical engineering context.

El clima estepario tiende a deshidratar la flora autóctona.

The steppe climate tends to dehydrate the native flora.

Botanical/Geographical usage.

Su mirada parecía capaz de deshidratar el alma de cualquiera.

His gaze seemed capable of dehydrating anyone's soul.

Literary hyperbole.

Collocations courantes

deshidratar fruta

deshidratar carne

deshidratarse rápido

máquina de deshidratar

deshidratar al sol

fácil de deshidratar

deshidratar la piel

deshidratar por completo

proceso de deshidratar

evitar deshidratarse

Phrases Courantes

fruta deshidratada

— Dried fruit, a very common snack in Spanish-speaking countries.

La fruta deshidratada es más dulce que la fresca.

peligro de deshidratarse

— Danger of getting dehydrated, often seen in health warnings.

Hay peligro de deshidratarse si no bebes agua.

deshidratar al horno

— To dehydrate using an oven instead of the sun.

Puedes deshidratar al horno a baja temperatura.

síntomas de deshidratarse

— Symptoms of becoming dehydrated.

El mareo es uno de los síntomas de deshidratarse.

deshidratar para conservar

— To dehydrate for the purpose of preservation.

Deshidratar para conservar es una técnica milenaria.

no te deshidrates

— Don't get dehydrated (a common piece of advice).

¡No te deshidrates en el desierto!

piel deshidratada

— Dehydrated skin, often used in skincare contexts.

Tengo la piel deshidratada por el frío.

alimento deshidratado

— Dehydrated food item.

Este alimento deshidratado dura dos años.

deshidratar setas

— To dehydrate mushrooms.

Es común deshidratar setas en otoño.

deshidratar muestras

— To dehydrate samples (in a lab).

Tenemos que deshidratar las muestras antes de pesarlas.

Souvent confondu avec

deshidratar vs disecar

Disecar is for taxidermy or biology specimens, while deshidratar is for food or health.

deshidratar vs secar

Secar is general (drying clothes); deshidratar is specific (removing internal water).

deshidratar vs derretir

Derretir means to melt, which is the opposite of drying out.

Expressions idiomatiques

"estar más seco que una pasa"

— To be extremely dry or thin (like a raisin). Related to dehydration.

Después de la caminata, estaba más seco que una pasa.

informal

"quedarse como una mojama"

— To become very dry or skinny (mojama is dried tuna).

Se quedó como una mojama tras la dieta.

informal

"beber como un cosaco"

— To drink a lot (often used to avoid dehydration).

Bebió como un cosaco después del partido.

informal

"estar en el chasis"

— To be very thin (can be a result of extreme dehydration/weight loss).

Pobrecito, está en el chasis.

informal

"no tener ni para un vaso de agua"

— To be extremely poor (cannot even afford water).

Esa empresa no tiene ni para un vaso de agua.

informal

"ahogarse en un vaso de agua"

— To get overwhelmed by a small problem (opposite of needing water).

No te ahogues en un vaso de agua, es fácil.

neutral

"agua pasada no mueve molino"

— The past is the past (water that is gone).

Olvídalo, agua pasada no mueve molino.

neutral

"ser un hueso"

— To be tough/dry (metaphorically dehydrated of kindness).

El profesor es un hueso.

informal

"secarse el cerebro"

— To lose one's mind (from reading or heat).

Se le secó el cerebro de tanto estudiar.

informal

"estar seco"

— To be broke (out of money/liquid assets).

No puedo ir al cine, estoy seco.

slang

Facile à confondre

deshidratar vs deshidratado

Can be an adjective or a past participle.

As an adjective, it describes a state; as a past participle, it's part of a verb tense.

La fruta está deshidratada (Adj) / He deshidratado la fruta (Verb).

deshidratar vs húmedo

It's the state you are trying to change.

Húmedo is wet/damp; deshidratar is the action of removing that state.

El clima es húmedo, por eso es difícil deshidratar la ropa.

deshidratar vs sediento

Related to needing water.

Sediento means thirsty (a feeling); deshidratado is a physical condition.

Estoy sediento, si no bebo me voy a deshidratar.

deshidratar vs marchito

Describes a dried plant.

Marchito is the result of a plant losing water; deshidratar is the process.

El rosal está marchito porque el sol lo deshidrató.

deshidratar vs enjuto

An old word for thin/dry.

Enjuto is a literary way to describe a very thin person; deshidratar is scientific.

Don Quijote era un hombre enjuto.

Structures de phrases

No quiero [verb]

No quiero deshidratarme.

Es bueno [verb]

Es bueno deshidratar la fruta.

Si [present], [future]

Si no bebes, te vas a deshidratar.

Para [verb], hay que...

Para deshidratar tomates, hay que cortarlos.

Se recomienda [verb]

Se recomienda deshidratar la muestra.

A pesar de [verb]

A pesar de deshidratar la carne, estaba rica.

Al [verb], se...

Al deshidratar el gas, se purifica.

Resulta imperativo [verb]

Resulta imperativo deshidratar el área.

Famille de mots

Noms

deshidratación

deshidratador

hidratación

Verbes

hidratar

rehidratar

Adjectifs

deshidratado

deshidratante

hidratante

Apparenté

agua

humedad

sequía

sed

líquido

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Common in culinary, medical, and sports contexts.

Erreurs courantes

Yo deshidraté en el sol. → Me deshidraté en el sol.
You must use the reflexive form when the action happens to you.
Quiero desidratar piña. → Quiero deshidratar piña.
Missing the 'h'. It's a silent but essential letter.
El sol deshidrató mi ropa. → El sol secó mi ropa.
'Deshidratar' is too technical for laundry. Use 'secar'.
Estoy deshidratado de dinero. → Estoy seco de dinero.
While 'seco' works as slang for being broke, 'deshidratado' does not.
Compré fruta disecada. → Compré fruta deshidratada.
'Disecada' sounds like taxidermy. Use 'deshidratada' for snacks.

Astuces

Reflexive Power

Always remember the 'se' when talking about health. 'Se deshidrató' is much more natural than 'deshidrató' when referring to a person.

The Silent H

Don't forget the 'h'. Think of 'Hidratación' or 'Hydrogen' to remember that 'h' is always there in the middle.

Food Labels

Look for 'fruta deshidratada' in the supermarket. It's a great way to see the word in a real-world context.

Stress it Right

The stress is on the 'TAR'. Say it like: des-ee-dra-TAR.

Don't Overuse

Use 'secar' for your hair or clothes. Reserve 'deshidratar' for food preservation or medical talk.

Health First

If you are in a Spanish-speaking country and feel dizzy in the sun, tell someone: 'Creo que me estoy deshidratando'.

Cooking Tip

Deshidratar setas (mushrooms) is a great way to intensify their flavor for soups.

De-Water

Just think of 'Des' as 'De' (from/away) and 'Hidratar' as 'Hydrate'. It's a literal translation.

Context Clues

If you hear 'sol' and 'agua' in the same sentence as this word, it's almost certainly about dehydration.

Adjective Match

Make sure your adjectives match! 'Tomate deshidratado' but 'manzana deshidratada'.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'DES' (Destroy/Remove) + 'HIDRA' (Hydration/Water). You are 'destroying the water' in the object.

Association visuelle

Imagine a grape turning into a raisin under a hot sun. The sun is 'deshidratando' the grape.

Word Web

Agua Sol Calor Sed Fruta Seco Sal Cuerpo

Défi

Try to find three items in your kitchen that are 'deshidratados' and name them in Spanish.

Origine du mot

From the Spanish prefix 'des-' (indicating removal or negation) and the root 'hidratar', which comes from the Greek 'hydor' (water).

Sens originel : To remove water from a substance.

Indo-European (via Latin and Greek roots common in Romance languages).

Contexte culturel

Be careful when discussing dehydration in medical contexts; it can be a serious condition, especially for children and the elderly.

English speakers often use 'dry' for everything, but Spanish speakers prefer 'deshidratar' for technical or medical contexts.

Survival guides for the Atacama Desert. Sports medicine reports on football players in Qatar. Cooking shows like 'MasterChef España'.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

In the Kitchen

deshidratar al horno
fruta deshidratada
tiempo de deshidratación
deshidratar setas

At the Gym

no te deshidrates
beber mucha agua
perder líquidos
recuperar hidratación

In a Hospital

paciente deshidratado
riesgo de deshidratación
suero para hidratar
beber suero oral

In a Science Lab

deshidratar el compuesto
eliminar la humedad
muestra deshidratada
agente deshidratante

Weather Report

ola de calor
suelo deshidratado
sequía extrema
evaporación del agua

Amorces de conversation

"¿Has probado alguna vez a deshidratar fruta en casa?"

"¿Qué haces para no deshidratarte cuando vas de excursión?"

"¿Sabes qué alimentos son mejores para deshidratar?"

"¿Crees que es peligroso deshidratarse haciendo deporte?"

"¿Prefieres la fruta fresca o la fruta deshidratada?"

Sujets d'écriture

Describe un día en el que sentiste que te ibas a deshidratar por el calor.

Escribe una receta que incluya algún ingrediente que tengas que deshidratar.

¿Por qué crees que deshidratar alimentos era tan importante en el pasado?

Imagina que estás en el desierto. ¿Cómo evitarías deshidratarte?

¿Cuál es tu snack deshidratado favorito y por qué?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

'Secar' es un término general para quitar la humedad superficial (como secar la ropa). 'Deshidratar' es un término más técnico que implica extraer el agua interna de un cuerpo o alimento, a menudo para conservarlo o como resultado de una falta de hidratación médica.

Se dice 'Estoy deshidratado' (si eres hombre) o 'Estoy deshidratada' (si eres mujer). También puedes decir 'Me he deshidratado' si te refieres al proceso que acaba de ocurrir.

Sí, es un verbo regular terminado en '-ar'. Sigue el mismo patrón que verbos como 'hablar' o 'cantar' en todos sus tiempos y personas.

Debes usarla cuando la acción recae sobre el propio sujeto, especialmente con personas o animales. Por ejemplo: 'Los perros se deshidratan fácilmente en verano'. No se usa reflexivo cuando tú le quitas el agua a algo: 'Voy a deshidratar estas uvas'.

La forma correcta es 'deshidratar', con una 'h' intercalada después de la 'i'. La 'h' es muda, pero obligatoria en la escritura.

Sí, se usa en química para hablar de compuestos que pierden agua, en construcción para materiales, y en cosmética para hablar de la piel o el cabello.

El sustantivo principal es 'deshidratación'. Por ejemplo: 'La deshidratación es peligrosa para la salud'.

Un 'deshidratador' es un aparato o máquina diseñada específicamente para extraer el agua de los alimentos mediante calor suave y flujo de aire.

Se puede usar para describir algo que carece de vida, emoción o frescura. Por ejemplo: 'Su discurso estaba deshidratado de ideas nuevas', aunque es un uso menos común y más literario.

Sí, es muy común en la cocina moderna y en libros de preservación de alimentos. Se usa para indicar que un ingrediente debe ser secado antes de usarse.

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