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B1 verb 8 min read

eliminar

Examples Notes & Tips eliminar in 30 Seconds
Explanation eliminar in your Level:
At the A1 level, you should learn 'eliminar' primarily in the context of technology and basic instructions. Think of it as the 'Delete' button on your phone or computer. You might see it when you want to 'eliminar una foto' (delete a photo) or 'eliminar un contacto' (delete a contact). It is a regular -ar verb, so it follows the same pattern as 'hablar' or 'cantar.' For example, 'Yo elimino' (I delete), 'Tú eliminas' (You delete). At this stage, focus on its most literal meaning: making something disappear from a screen or a list. It is a very useful word for navigating apps and websites in Spanish. You don't need to worry about complex figurative meanings yet; just remember it as the opposite of 'añadir' (to add) or 'guardar' (to save). If you are in a Spanish class, your teacher might tell you to 'eliminar la palabra incorrecta' (cross out the incorrect word). Practice saying 'Quiero eliminar este archivo' to get used to the pronunciation. Remember that the stress is on the last syllable in the infinitive: e-li-mi-NAR.
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At the A2 level, you can start using 'eliminar' in more varied contexts, such as health and sports. You might talk about 'eliminar el azúcar de tu dieta' (eliminating sugar from your diet) or 'eliminar el estrés' (eliminating stress). In the context of sports, you will hear it when a team is knocked out of a competition: 'Mi equipo fue eliminado' (My team was eliminated). You should also become familiar with the past tense (Preterite): 'Ayer eliminé muchos correos electrónicos' (Yesterday I deleted many emails). At this level, you are also learning about the 'personal a.' Remember that if you are eliminating a person from a group, you say 'Eliminaron a Juan de la lista.' You might also see the word used in cleaning commercials, like 'eliminar las manchas' (to remove stains). It's a step up from 'quitar' (to take off/remove) because 'eliminar' often implies a more permanent or thorough removal. Start using it in sentences where you describe cleaning your room or organizing your digital life.
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At the B1 level, 'eliminar' becomes a tool for expressing more abstract ideas and participating in more complex discussions. You are expected to use it when talking about social issues, such as 'eliminar la pobreza' (eliminating poverty) or 'eliminar la discriminación' (eliminating discrimination). You should also be comfortable using the subjunctive mood with this verb: 'Es importante que eliminemos los prejuicios' (It is important that we eliminate prejudices). In business or academic contexts, you might use it to talk about 'eliminar redundancias' (eliminating redundancies) or 'eliminar obstáculos' (eliminating obstacles). You will also encounter the noun form 'eliminación' and the adjective 'eliminado.' This is the level where you distinguish 'eliminar' from synonyms like 'borrar' or 'suprimir.' For instance, you'll understand that 'borrar' is for erasing text, while 'eliminar' is for removing the entire record or file. You can also use it in the 'proceso de eliminación' (process of elimination) when solving problems. Your vocabulary is expanding to include the nuances of how this verb functions in formal writing versus informal speech.
At the B2 level, you should use 'eliminar' with precision in professional and technical settings. You can discuss 'eliminar barreras arancelarias' (eliminating tariff barriers) in an economics context or 'eliminar variables' in a scientific experiment. You'll understand the nuance of using the passive 'se' with 'eliminar': 'Se han eliminado todas las restricciones' (All restrictions have been eliminated). At this level, you should also be aware of the more 'aggressive' nuances of the word, such as in crime fiction or historical texts where it might be a euphemism for 'neutralizing' an opponent. You can handle complex sentence structures, such as: 'Si hubiéramos eliminado los errores a tiempo, habríamos ganado' (If we had eliminated the errors in time, we would have won). You should also be able to discuss the ethical implications of 'eliminating' certain things in society. Your use of 'eliminar' should feel natural and integrated into your overall fluency, allowing you to choose it over simpler verbs like 'quitar' when the situation demands a more precise or formal tone.
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At the C1 level, you have a sophisticated command of 'eliminar' and its related forms. You can use it in high-level academic writing to discuss the 'eliminación de paradigmas obsoletos' (elimination of obsolete paradigms). You understand its use in legal contexts, such as 'eliminar una cláusula' (striking a clause) from a contract, and how it differs from 'derogar' (to repeal a law). You are sensitive to the stylistic choices between 'eliminar,' 'extirpar,' 'erradicar,' and 'anular.' You can use the word in complex idiomatic expressions and understand its role in rhetorical devices. For example, you might analyze how a politician uses the word 'eliminar' to sound decisive and powerful. You are also proficient in using the word in the passive voice and other advanced grammatical constructions without hesitation. Your ability to use 'eliminar' reflects a deep understanding of Spanish registers, knowing exactly when it sounds too technical and when it provides the perfect amount of clarity. You can also discuss the etymology (from Latin 'eliminare', to put out of the threshold) and how that history informs its modern usage.
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At the C2 level, 'eliminar' is a word you use with total mastery, often employing it in subtle, metaphorical, or highly specialized ways. You might use it in literary analysis to discuss how an author 'elimina la voz del narrador' (eliminates the narrator's voice) to create a specific effect. You are aware of the most obscure technical uses in fields like mathematics (elimination of variables) or biology (metabolic elimination) and can discuss them fluently. You can play with the word's connotations in creative writing, perhaps using it to describe the 'eliminación de la luz' as the sun sets. Your command of the word includes an effortless ability to switch between its most mundane uses (deleting a text) and its most profound (eradicating a philosophy). You understand the historical evolution of the word and can identify its use in classical Spanish literature versus modern journalism. At this level, 'eliminar' is not just a vocabulary word; it is a versatile tool that you can manipulate to convey precise shades of meaning, tone, and intent in any conceivable communicative situation.
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Examples Notes & Tips

eliminar in 30 Seconds

  • Eliminar means to delete, remove, or exclude something definitively.
  • It is the standard word for 'delete' in apps and computer systems.
  • Used in sports to describe a team being knocked out of a competition.
  • A regular -ar verb that is essential for B1 level Spanish learners.

The Spanish verb eliminar is a versatile and essential word that corresponds closely to the English verb 'to eliminate.' At its core, it refers to the act of removing, excluding, or getting rid of something or someone. While in English, 'eliminate' can sometimes sound overly formal or even aggressive (as in 'eliminating the competition'), in Spanish, eliminar is the standard term for everyday actions like deleting a file on a computer, removing a stain from a shirt, or crossing an item off a shopping list.

Digital Context
In the world of technology, this is the go-to word for 'delete.' Whether you are removing an email, a photo, or a whole user account, you will see the button labeled Eliminar.

¿Cómo puedo eliminar este mensaje de mi bandeja de entrada?

(How can I delete this message from my inbox?)

Beyond the digital realm, eliminar is used in sports and competitions. When a team loses a knockout round and is kicked out of the tournament, they are 'eliminated.' This usage is very common in soccer (fútbol) coverage during the World Cup or Champions League. It implies a definitive end to their participation.

Health and Science
Doctors and nutritionists use this word to talk about the body getting rid of toxins or waste. It is also used in the context of 'eliminating' certain foods from a diet to identify allergies or improve health.

Es importante beber agua para eliminar las toxinas del cuerpo.

(It is important to drink water to eliminate toxins from the body.)

In social or political contexts, the word can take on a more serious tone. It can mean to eradicate a social problem like poverty (eliminar la pobreza) or to remove barriers to equality. In darker contexts, such as crime novels or history, it can be a euphemism for 'killing' or 'taking out' an enemy, just as it is in English.

El gobierno busca eliminar el desempleo juvenil.

(The government seeks to eliminate youth unemployment.)
Abstract Concepts
You can also 'eliminate' doubts, fears, or possibilities. If you are doing a multiple-choice test, you might use the 'process of elimination' (proceso de eliminación) to find the correct answer.

Debemos eliminar cualquier duda antes de firmar el contrato.

(We must eliminate any doubt before signing the contract.)

Using eliminar correctly requires understanding its direct object. Since it is a transitive verb, it almost always acts upon something. You eliminate *something* or *someone*. The structure is straightforward: [Subject] + [Conjugated Verb] + [Direct Object]. For example, Yo elimino los archivos (I delete the files).

Reflexive Use (Eliminarse)
While less common, the reflexive form eliminarse can be used to say that something 'is eliminated' or 'eliminates itself' (passive se). For example: Las toxinas se eliminan a través de los riñones (Toxins are eliminated through the kidneys).

Si no pagas, tu cuenta se eliminará automáticamente.

(If you don't pay, your account will be deleted automatically.)

When talking about people being eliminated from a group or competition, remember the 'personal a.' In Spanish, when the direct object is a specific person or pet, we add 'a' before them. El jurado eliminó a tres concursantes (The jury eliminated three contestants).

Tense Variations
In the past (Preterite), it is often used for completed actions: Ayer eliminé todas las fotos viejas. In the future, it expresses intent: Eliminaremos la redundancia en el proceso.

¿Has eliminado ya el historial de búsqueda?

(Have you already deleted the search history?)

In the imperative (commands), eliminar is frequent in instructions. On a computer screen, you might see Elimine el elemento seleccionado (Delete the selected item). In a recipe, you might see Elimine el exceso de grasa (Remove the excess fat).

Subjunctive Usage
When expressing a wish or a command that someone else do something: Espero que eliminen esas leyes injustas (I hope they eliminate those unjust laws).

Es necesario que el equipo elimine los errores básicos.

(It is necessary for the team to eliminate basic errors.)

You will encounter eliminar in a variety of real-world settings. One of the most common is in **user interfaces**. Every time you use an app in Spanish, from WhatsApp to Instagram, the option to delete a post, a chat, or a file will be labeled Eliminar. It is the standard technical term across the Spanish-speaking world, from Spain to Argentina.

Sports Commentary
Listen to a soccer match on ESPN Deportes or Univision. When a team is knocked out of a tournament, the commentator will say: '¡El Real Madrid ha sido eliminado!'. You will also hear about partidos de eliminación directa (knockout matches).

Brasil fue eliminado en los cuartos de final.

(Brazil was eliminated in the quarterfinals.)

In **news and politics**, the word is used when discussing the removal of subsidies, the abolition of laws, or the eradication of diseases. For example, a headline might read: 'Buscan eliminar el uso de plásticos de un solo uso' (They seek to eliminate the use of single-use plastics). It carries a sense of official action and permanence.

Education and Exams
In a classroom, a teacher might tell students to eliminar las respuestas incorrectas to find the right one. On standardized tests like the DELE, instructions often use eliminar when referring to selecting or discarding options.

Por favor, elimina los párrafos innecesarios de tu ensayo.

(Please, eliminate the unnecessary paragraphs from your essay.)

Finally, in **household and cleaning** commercials, you'll hear it constantly. Advertisements for detergents or disinfectants promise to eliminar el 99.9% de las bacterias or eliminar las manchas más difíciles. In this context, it is synonymous with cleaning or destroying unwanted substances.

One of the most common mistakes for English speakers is over-relying on eliminar when other more specific verbs might be more natural in Spanish. While 'eliminar' is correct, Spanish often prefers verbs like **borrar**, **quitar**, or **suprimir** depending on the context.

Eliminar vs. Borrar
Use borrar for things that are physically erased (like pencil marks or a whiteboard) or for 'deleting' text in a document. While you can use eliminar for a file, borrar is often used for the content inside the file.

Incorrecto: Voy a eliminar la pizarra.
Correcto: Voy a borrar la pizarra.

Another mistake involves the 'Personal A.' As mentioned before, if you are 'eliminating' a person (from a list, a competition, etc.), you must use the preposition 'a'. Forgetting this is a hallmark of a beginner learner.

Eliminar vs. Quitar
Quitar means 'to take away' or 'to remove.' If you are removing your shoes or taking a book off a table, use quitar. Eliminar sounds too permanent or technical for these actions.

Incorrecto: Elimina los platos de la mesa.
Correcto: Quita los platos de la mesa.

Finally, English speakers sometimes use 'eliminar' when they mean 'to fire' someone from a job. In Spanish, you should use **despedir**. 'Eliminar a un empleado' sounds like you are either removing them from a list or, in a very dark context, making them disappear permanently.

Él fue despedido (fired), no eliminado.

Spanish is rich with verbs that describe the act of removal. Choosing the right one depends on the nuance you want to convey. Here is a comparison of eliminar with its closest relatives:

Borrar
Focuses on the act of erasing or wiping away. Used for pencil, ink, data, or memories.
Ex: Borrar un error.
Quitar
The most general term for 'to take away' or 'to remove.' It's less formal than eliminar.
Ex: Quítate la chaqueta.
Suprimir
Often used in administrative or literary contexts. It means to suppress or omit.
Ex: Suprimir un párrafo de la ley.

Podemos excluir (exclude) esta opción de la lista si no te gusta.

If you are talking about 'eliminating' a problem or a disease, you might use **erradicar** (to eradicate). This is much stronger than eliminar and implies total destruction of the source. If you are 'eliminating' a debt or a contract, you could use **anular** or **cancelar**.

Descartar
This means 'to discard' or 'to rule out.' It is very common when making decisions or evaluating possibilities.
Ex: Hemos descartado la primera opción.

Fun Fact

Etymologically, when you 'eliminate' something, you are literally throwing it out the door (the threshold of your house).

Pronunciation Guide

UK /e.li.mi.'nar/
US /e.li.mi.'nar/
The stress is on the final syllable 'nar'.
Rhymes With
caminar hablar pensar llegar cantar mirar entrar esperar
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing the 'e' as 'ee' like in English 'eliminate'.
  • Stressing the second syllable 'li' instead of 'nar'.
  • Making the 'r' at the end sound like an English 'r' instead of a Spanish tap.
  • Pronouncing the 'i' as a short 'ih' sound.
  • Confusing the spelling with 'iluminar'.
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Examples by Level

1

Quiero eliminar esta foto.

I want to delete this photo.

Infinitive after another verb (quiero).

2

Elimina el mensaje, por favor.

Delete the message, please.

Imperative (tú command).

3

Yo elimino los archivos viejos.

I delete the old files.

Present tense, 1st person singular.

4

No elimines mi nombre de la lista.

Don't delete my name from the list.

Negative imperative (tú command).

5

Él elimina la basura.

He removes the trash.

Present tense, 3rd person singular.

6

Nosotros eliminamos los errores.

We eliminate the errors.

Present tense, 1st person plural.

7

Ustedes eliminan la cuenta.

You all delete the account.

Present tense, 2nd person plural (formal).

8

Ella elimina un contacto.

She deletes a contact.

Present tense, 3rd person singular.

1

Ayer eliminé todas las fotos.

Yesterday I deleted all the photos.

Preterite tense (completed action).

2

El equipo fue eliminado del torneo.

The team was eliminated from the tournament.

Passive voice with 'ser'.

3

Debes eliminar el azúcar de tu dieta.

You must eliminate sugar from your diet.

Modal verb 'deber' + infinitive.

4

Eliminamos a los rivales fácilmente.

We eliminated the rivals easily.

Personal 'a' before 'los rivales'.

5

Este jabón elimina las manchas.

This soap removes the stains.

Present tense, used for functions.

6

Ella eliminó su perfil de Facebook.

She deleted her Facebook profile.

Preterite tense, 3rd person singular.

7

Voy a eliminar estas aplicaciones.

I am going to delete these apps.

Future with 'ir a'.

8

Ellos eliminaron el ruido con cascos.

They eliminated the noise with headphones.

Preterite tense, 3rd person plural.

1

Es necesario eliminar la pobreza.

It is necessary to eliminate poverty.

Impersonal expression + infinitive.

2

Espero que eliminen las leyes viejas.

I hope they eliminate the old laws.

Present subjunctive after 'esperar que'.

3

Usamos el proceso de eliminación.

We used the process of elimination.

Noun phrase 'proceso de eliminación'.

4

El cuerpo elimina toxinas por la noche.

The body eliminates toxins at night.

Present tense, biological context.

5

Eliminaron a tres candidatos hoy.

They eliminated three candidates today.

Personal 'a' used with 'candidatos'.

6

Si eliminas el miedo, serás libre.

If you eliminate fear, you will be free.

Conditional 'si' clause.

7

Han eliminado el descuento especial.

They have eliminated the special discount.

Present perfect tense.

8

Queremos eliminar la burocracia.

We want to eliminate bureaucracy.

Infinitive after 'querer'.

1

Se eliminaron todas las restricciones.

All restrictions were eliminated.

Passive 'se' construction.

2

El gobierno busca eliminar el déficit.

The government seeks to eliminate the deficit.

Economic context.

3

Eliminaron al espía silenciosamente.

They eliminated the spy silently.

Euphemistic use for 'kill'.

4

No podemos eliminar esa posibilidad.

We cannot eliminate that possibility.

Abstract usage.

5

El tratamiento eliminó la infección.

The treatment eliminated the infection.

Medical context.

6

Es vital que se elimine el racismo.

It is vital that racism be eliminated.

Passive subjunctive after 'es vital que'.

7

Eliminaron mi comentario sin razón.

They deleted my comment without reason.

Digital moderation context.

8

Habían eliminado el rastro del crimen.

They had eliminated the trace of the crime.

Past perfect (Pluperfect) tense.

1

Debemos eliminar los sesgos cognitivos.

We must eliminate cognitive biases.

Psychological/Academic context.

2

La empresa eliminó puestos redundantes.

The company eliminated redundant positions.

Corporate jargon.

3

Eliminaron la cláusula de exclusividad.

They struck the exclusivity clause.

Legal context.

4

El autor elimina lo superfluo.

The author eliminates the superfluous.

Literary context.

5

Se han de eliminar las impurezas.

The impurities must be eliminated.

Formal 'haber de' + infinitive.

6

Eliminaron al equipo local en penaltis.

They eliminated the local team on penalties.

Specific sports context.

7

Buscan eliminar la huella de carbono.

They seek to eliminate the carbon footprint.

Environmental context.

8

Eliminaron cualquier vestigio de duda.

They eliminated any vestige of doubt.

Elevated vocabulary (vestigio).

1

Eliminaron la disidencia con rigor.

They eliminated dissent with rigor.

Political/Historical context.

2

La evolución eliminó ciertos rasgos.

Evolution eliminated certain traits.

Scientific context.

3

Eliminaron la variable independiente.

They eliminated the independent variable.

Mathematical context.

4

El poema elimina la rima tradicional.

The poem eliminates traditional rhyme.

Stylistic/Artistic context.

5

Se eliminó la obligatoriedad del voto.

The mandatory nature of voting was eliminated.

Legal/Civic context.

6

Eliminaron los aranceles comerciales.

They eliminated trade tariffs.

Macroeconomic context.

7

La terapia busca eliminar el trauma.

The therapy seeks to eliminate the trauma.

Psychotherapeutic context.

8

Eliminaron la distinción entre géneros.

They eliminated the distinction between genres.

Abstract/Philosophical context.

Common Collocations

eliminar un archivo
eliminar la pobreza
eliminar toxinas
eliminar el estrés
eliminar a un rival
eliminar una cuenta
eliminar manchas
eliminar obstáculos
eliminar de la lista
eliminar por completo

Common Phrases

Eliminar de raíz

— To eliminate something from the root; to solve a problem completely.

Hay que eliminar el problema de raíz.

Eliminar por defecto

— To delete or remove something as a standard setting.

El sistema elimina los correos por defecto.

Eliminar la duda

— To remove any uncertainty.

Sus palabras eliminaron toda duda.

Eliminar el rastro

— To remove any evidence or trace.

Intentó eliminar el rastro del crimen.

Eliminar barreras

— To remove obstacles to progress or communication.

La tecnología ayuda a eliminar barreras.

Eliminar el riesgo

— To take actions so a danger no longer exists.

Debemos eliminar el riesgo de incendio.

Eliminar la suscripción

— To unsubscribe from a service.

Quiero eliminar mi suscripción mensual.

Eliminar la grasa

— To remove fat from food or the body.

Este ejercicio ayuda a eliminar la grasa abdominal.

Eliminar a un candidato

— To remove a job applicant from consideration.

Eliminaron al candidato por falta de experiencia.

Eliminar el historial

— To clear the browsing history.

No olvides eliminar el historial de búsqueda.

Idioms & Expressions

"Hacer borrón y cuenta nueva"

— To wipe the slate clean and start over (related to removing the past).

Decidieron hacer borrón y cuenta nueva.

informal
"Quitarse de encima"

— To get rid of something or someone annoying.

Me quité de encima ese trabajo pesado.

informal
"Echar a la calle"

— To fire someone (a form of eliminating from a job).

Lo echaron a la calle sin aviso.

informal
"Pasar por la quilla"

— To severely punish or 'eliminate' someone's influence.

Lo pasaron por la quilla en la reunión.

slang
"Limpiar el mapa"

— To completely remove or destroy something across an area.

El huracán limpió el mapa del pueblo.

informal
"Cortar por lo sano"

— To take a drastic measure to eliminate a problem.

Decidió cortar por lo sano y dejar la empresa.

neutral
"Hacer desaparecer"

— To make something disappear (often used euphemistically).

Hicieron desaparecer los documentos.

neutral
"Dar el hachazo"

— To deliver a final blow that eliminates something.

Le dieron el hachazo a su proyecto.

informal
"Poner fin a"

— To put an end to something.

Pusieron fin a la huelga.

neutral
"Sacar de en medio"

— To remove someone from your path or way.

Lo sacaron de en medio para ganar.

informal

Word Family

Nouns

eliminación (elimination)
eliminatoria (qualifying round)

Verbs

eliminar (to eliminate)

Adjectives

eliminado (eliminated)
eliminable (eliminable)

Related

quitar
borrar
suprimir
excluir
erradicar
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Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of the 'E-LIMIT'. When you eliminate something, you put it past the 'limit' or out the door.

Visual Association

Imagine a big red 'Delete' key on a keyboard with the word ELIMINAR written on it.

Word Web

borrar quitar basura archivo competencia toxinas pobreza error

Challenge

Try to use 'eliminar' in three different contexts today: technology, cleaning, and sports.

Word Origin

From the Latin verb 'eliminare'.

Original meaning: To put out of the threshold (from 'e-' out and 'limen' threshold).

Romance (Latin root).

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'eliminar' with people in a non-sports context, as it can sound like you are discarding them or, in extreme cases, suggesting violence.

In English, 'eliminate' can sound formal or cold. In Spanish, 'eliminar' is the standard, everyday word for 'delete' or 'remove'.

TV Show: Gran Hermano (Big Brother) - 'El público ha decidido eliminar a...' Song: 'Eliminar' by various Latin artists in the context of removing a bad love. Sports: 'La eliminación de España' (The elimination of Spain) - a common news headline.
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Related Content

This Word in Other Languages

eliminar Portugués
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