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A2 verb #3,500 mais comum 9 min de leitura

retirarse

Top 3,500

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas retirarse em 30 segundos

Explicação retirarse in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'retirarse' is a bit advanced, but you might encounter it in its simplest form: leaving a place or going to bed. It is important to recognize that it is a reflexive verb, meaning it needs 'me', 'te', 'se', etc. For a beginner, think of it as a polite way to say 'I'm leaving' or 'I'm going to sleep'. You will mostly see it in the present tense. For example, 'Me retiro' is something you might hear at the end of a long day. It's a 'bonus' word that makes you sound more sophisticated than just using 'ir'. Focus on the 'me retiro' (I leave/withdraw) and 'se retira' (he/she leaves/withdraws) forms first. Don't worry about the military or professional meanings yet; just think of it as a movement away from the current room.

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At the A2 level, you should start using 'retirarse' to describe routines or specific past actions. You can use it in the preterite to say you left a party or a meeting. You should also understand the difference between 'retirar' (to take something away) and 'retirarse' (to leave). For instance, 'Retiro mi plato' (I remove my plate) vs 'Me retiro de la mesa' (I leave the table). This is also the stage where you learn that 'retirarse' is used for athletes ending their careers. You should be able to conjugate it in the present and past tenses comfortably. It's a useful word for being polite in social situations, allowing you to excuse yourself from a group without being too blunt.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'retirarse' in a variety of contexts, including professional ones. You'll learn to distinguish it from 'jubilarse'. You should also be able to use it in the subjunctive mood to express desires or suggestions, such as 'Espero que se retiren pronto' (I hope they leave soon). You will encounter it in more formal reading materials, like news reports about a politician 'retirándose de la política'. At this level, you start to see the word used in more abstract ways, like withdrawing a comment or a proposal. You should also be familiar with the noun form 'el retiro' (the retreat/retirement).

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At the B2 level, you can use 'retirarse' to discuss complex topics like military strategy, legal proceedings, or deep personal reflections. You understand the nuance it carries in literature and formal speeches. You might use it in conditional sentences: 'Si hubiera sabido que era tan tarde, me habría retirado antes' (If I had known it was so late, I would have left earlier). You are also aware of idiomatic expressions and the subtle differences between 'retirarse' and synonyms like 'claudicar' or 'desistir' in certain contexts. Your vocabulary is rich enough to use 'retirarse' to describe a strategic withdrawal in a business negotiation.

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At the C1 level, 'retirarse' is a tool for precision. You use it to describe the withdrawal of support, the ebbing of a tide (figuratively), or the subtle social dance of exiting a high-stakes environment. You can analyze the etymological roots and how they influence modern usage. You might use it in academic writing to describe a researcher withdrawing a paper or a country withdrawing from a treaty. Your usage is seamless, and you can play with the word's formal tone to create irony or emphasis in your speaking and writing. You understand the historical weight of 'una retirada a tiempo es una victoria'.

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At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of 'retirarse'. You can use it in its most archaic or poetic senses, such as a soul withdrawing from the world. You understand all its legal, military, and social connotations across different Spanish-speaking cultures. You can use it in high-level debates about public policy (e.g., withdrawing troops or funding) with perfect grammatical accuracy and tone. You are also familiar with obscure regional variations or slang that might play on the word's meaning. For you, 'retirarse' is not just a verb but a concept of movement, strategy, and finality that you can deploy in any linguistic situation.

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retirarse em 30 segundos

Retirarse is a reflexive verb used to say you are leaving a place, going to bed, or ending your career.
It is more formal than 'irse' and is the standard word for military retreats and professional retirements.
Always use reflexive pronouns (me, te, se, nos, os, se) when the subject is the one leaving.
Don't confuse it with 'jubilarse', which is only for age-based retirement with a pension.

The Spanish verb retirarse is a versatile reflexive verb that primarily signifies the act of withdrawing, retreating, or leaving a specific location or situation. While its most literal translation often points toward a military retreat, its everyday application is much broader and deeply embedded in social, professional, and personal contexts. Understanding retirarse requires recognizing its reflexive nature; the action is performed by the subject upon themselves, indicating a personal decision or a necessary movement away from a point of engagement.

Military and Strategic Context: In historical or news contexts, it describes troops moving back from a front line. This is the 'retreat' aspect where a force acknowledges it can no longer hold a position.

El batallón tuvo que retirarse ante el avance enemigo.

Social and Domestic Use: Perhaps the most common use for learners is 'leaving' a social gathering or 'going to bed'. If you are at a dinner party and it is getting late, you might say you are going to 'retirarse'.

Es tarde, así que voy a retirarme a mi habitación.

In professional settings, retirarse is used when someone steps down from a position or ends their career. While 'jubilarse' is specifically for retirement due to age and receiving a pension, 'retirarse' is the broader act of stopping a particular professional activity or public life. For example, an athlete might 'retirarse' at age 30, even though they aren't 'jubilados' in the traditional sense of elderly retirement. This distinction is crucial for nuanced Spanish communication. Furthermore, the word can be used in financial contexts, such as withdrawing money from a bank (though 'retirar' without the reflexive 'se' is more common for the act of taking money out, 'retirarse de un negocio' means to pull out of a business deal).

El tenista decidió retirarse después de ganar el torneo.

Spiritual and Physical Seclusion: It is also used to describe moving to a quiet place for reflection or to live a secluded life. One might 'retirarse al campo' (withdraw to the countryside) to find peace.

Tras años de estrés, se retiró a un pequeño pueblo costero.

¿A qué hora piensan retirarse ustedes de la fiesta?

Using retirarse correctly involves mastering its reflexive nature across various tenses and moods. Because it is a regular '-ar' verb, the conjugation patterns are predictable, but the placement of the reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nos, os, se) is key. In Spanish, these pronouns either precede the conjugated verb or attach to the end of infinitives, gerunds, and affirmative imperatives. This flexibility allows for expressive sentence structures that can range from casual to highly formal.

Present Tense: Daily Routines: In the present tense, it often describes a habitual action of going to bed or ending a workday.

Normalmente me retiro a las once de la noche.

Preterite Tense: Completed Actions: Use the preterite to describe a specific instance of withdrawal, such as leaving a meeting or a career milestone.

El embajador se retiró de la sala en señal de protesta.

When dealing with compound verbs or infinitives, the pronoun placement can change the tone. 'Quiero retirarme' (I want to withdraw) is standard, whereas 'Me quiero retirar' emphasizes the subject's intent more strongly in spoken Spanish. In the context of sports or public figures, the future tense is frequently used to discuss upcoming retirements. 'Se retirará el próximo año' (He will retire next year) is a common headline in sports journalism. The verb also appears in the imperative mood, often in formal contexts like courtrooms or official ceremonies: 'Retírense, por favor' (Please, withdraw/leave).

Si no están de acuerdo, pueden retirarse del proyecto.

Subjunctive Mood: Desires and Doubts: The subjunctive is used when expressing a wish for someone else to leave or a possibility of withdrawal.

Dudo que el ejército se retire tan pronto.

Espero que nos retiremos a tiempo para evitar el tráfico.

The context in which you encounter retirarse significantly influences its meaning. In the modern Spanish-speaking world, this word is heard in news broadcasts, literature, sports commentary, and formal social interactions. It carries a certain weight and dignity that more common verbs like 'irse' (to go) lack. Whether it is a politician withdrawing a candidacy or a grandfather deciding to head to bed after a long day, the word 'retirarse' signals a deliberate and often final move away from the current scene.

In the News and Politics: Journalists use this word to describe diplomatic withdrawals or politicians stepping down from public life. It sounds professional and objective.

El candidato se retiró de la contienda electoral por motivos de salud.

Sports Journalism: When a legendary player decides to hang up their boots, 'retirarse' is the standard term used across all Spanish-speaking sports media.

Messi aún no ha dicho cuándo piensa retirarse del fútbol profesional.

In literature and film, 'retirarse' often sets a somber or contemplative mood. A character might 'retirarse a sus aposentos' (withdraw to their chambers), a phrase that evokes a sense of old-world elegance or dramatic isolation. In everyday life, you might hear a parent telling a child 'Ya es hora de retirarse' (It's time to head in/go to bed), implying that the day's activities have concluded. In business meetings, a participant might 'retirarse' to allow others to discuss a sensitive topic privately. This versatility makes it a high-frequency word for those aiming for a B1 level of proficiency or higher, as it allows for more precise expression than generic verbs.

Después de la cena, los invitados comenzaron a retirarse uno a uno.

Legal and Formal Procedures: In a courtroom, a judge might 'retirarse a deliberar' (withdraw to deliberate), indicating the start of the final decision-making process.

El jurado se retira para dictar el veredicto final.

Me retiré de la empresa porque ya no compartía sus valores.

Learning retirarse presents a few common pitfalls for English speakers, primarily due to the reflexive nature of the verb and its overlap with other verbs like 'jubilarse' and 'irse'. Understanding these nuances is essential for sounding natural and avoiding confusion in professional or social settings. The most frequent error is omitting the reflexive pronoun, which changes the verb from 'to withdraw oneself' to 'to remove something'.

Mistake 1: Omitting the Reflexive Pronoun: Saying 'Retiro' instead of 'Me retiro' means 'I remove' (like removing a dish from a table) rather than 'I leave'.

Correct: Me retiro a descansar. Incorrect: Retiro a descansar.

Mistake 2: Confusing with 'Jubilarse': While both can translate to 'retire', 'jubilarse' is strictly for age-based retirement with a pension. 'Retirarse' is for leaving a job or activity early or for other reasons.

Mi abuelo se jubiló a los 65 años (Standard retirement). El actor se retiró joven (Career choice).

Another common error is over-using 'retirarse' in casual situations where 'irse' or 'marcharse' would be more appropriate. If you are leaving a casual hangout with friends at a bar, 'me retiro' might sound overly dramatic or stiff. It is better to use 'me voy' or 'me marcho'. Conversely, in a formal banquet, 'me voy' might seem too blunt, and 'me retiro' adds a layer of politeness. Additionally, learners sometimes confuse 'retirar' (to withdraw money) with 'retirarse'. While you can say 'Me retiro del cajero' (I am moving away from the ATM), the act of getting the cash is 'Retiro dinero'.

Voy al banco a retirar efectivo. (No 'se' here!)

Mistake 3: Incorrect Prepositions: Learners often struggle with which preposition follows. Use 'de' for the place/thing you are leaving and 'a' for the place you are going.

Se retiró DE la vida pública A una granja.

¿Te retiras ya? (Are you leaving/going to bed already?)

To truly master retirarse, you must understand its relationship with its synonyms and antonyms. Depending on the context—military, professional, or social—different words might be more precise. Spanish offers a rich vocabulary for the concept of 'leaving' or 'withdrawing', and choosing the right one can elevate your fluency from basic to advanced. Here we compare retirarse with its closest linguistic relatives.

Retirarse vs. Jubilarse: As mentioned, 'jubilarse' is specifically for age-related retirement. 'Retirarse' is broader. A 25-year-old athlete 'se retira', but a 67-year-old teacher 'se jubila'.
Retirarse vs. Irse / Marcharse: 'Irse' is the most common way to say 'to leave'. 'Marcharse' is slightly more formal or implies a more definitive departure. 'Retirarse' is the most formal and implies a destination of rest or a strategic move.

Me voy ahora. (Neutral)
Me retiro a mis aposentos. (Formal/Dramatic)

Retirarse vs. Retroceder: 'Retroceder' means to physically move backward or to regress. 'Retirarse' is the act of leaving the area entirely. In a fight, you might 'retroceder' a few steps, but you 'te retiras' from the building.

El coche retrocedió lentamente.
El ejército se retiró de la ciudad.

In a financial context, 'retirar fondos' is the standard way to say 'withdraw funds'. While this isn't reflexive, it's the same root verb. If you are 'retirándose de un acuerdo', you are pulling out of an agreement. Antonyms include 'avanzar' (to advance), 'quedarse' (to stay), and 'incorporarse' (to join or sit up). Choosing between these depends on whether you are moving toward or away from an engagement. For example, in a military drill, the command might be '¡Avancen!' or '¡Retírense!'. In a social setting, if someone asks '¿Te quedas?', they are asking the opposite of '¿Te retiras?'.

En lugar de retirarse, el equipo decidió avanzar con el plan.

Apartarse: This means to move aside or to distance oneself from a group or a path. It is more about physical separation than ending an activity.

Se apartó de la multitud para hablar por teléfono.

Es mejor retirarse a tiempo que perderlo todo.

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

The root 'tirar' (to pull/throw) is one of the most productive roots in Spanish, leading to words like 'tirantes' (suspenders) and 'estirar' (to stretch).

Guia de pronúncia

UK /re.ti.'raɾ.se/

US /re.ti.'raɾ.se/

The primary stress is on the penultimate syllable 'rar'.

Rima com

quedarse amarse pararse cansarse bañarse lavarse peinarse mirarse

Erros comuns

Pronouncing the 'r' like an English 'r' instead of a tap.
Not pronouncing the 'e' clearly at the end.
Stress on the wrong syllable (e.g., re-TI-rar-se instead of re-ti-RAR-se).

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 2/5

Easy to recognize in texts due to its similarity to 'retire'.

Escrita 3/5

Requires correct placement of reflexive pronouns.

Expressão oral 3/5

Needs practice to sound natural and not too formal.

Audição 2/5

Clear pronunciation makes it easy to catch.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

Ir Dormir Trabajar Soldado Cansado

Aprenda a seguir

Jubilarse Apartarse Renunciar Abandonar Cedir

Avançado

Ostracismo Abdicación Recesión Claudicación Deserción

Gramática essencial

Reflexive Pronoun Placement

Me quiero retirar / Quiero retirarme.

Preposition 'de' for Origin

Se retiró de la sala.

Preposition 'a' for Destination

Se retiró a su casa.

Regular -ar Verb Conjugation

Yo me retiro, tú te retiras.

Subjunctive for Influence

Quiero que te retires.

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Exemplos por nível

Me retiro a dormir.

I am withdrawing to sleep.

First person singular, present tense, reflexive.

¿Te retiras ya?

Are you leaving already?

Second person singular, question.

Él se retira de la fiesta.

He is leaving the party.

Third person singular, present tense.

Nos retiramos ahora.

We are leaving now.

First person plural.

Ellos se retiran temprano.

They leave early.

Third person plural.

Me quiero retirar.

I want to leave.

Infinitive with reflexive pronoun attached or preceding.

Se retira a su cuarto.

He withdraws to his room.

Third person singular.

Ya es hora de retirarse.

It is already time to withdraw/leave.

Impersonal expression with infinitive.

El jugador se retiró el año pasado.

The player retired last year.

Preterite tense.

Me retiré de la reunión silenciosamente.

I left the meeting quietly.

Preterite tense, first person.

¿A qué hora se retiraron los invitados?

What time did the guests leave?

Preterite tense, third person plural.

Se retiró al campo para descansar.

He withdrew to the countryside to rest.

Preterite tense.

No quiero retirarme todavía.

I don't want to leave yet.

Negative construction with infinitive.

El ejército se retiró de la ciudad.

The army retreated from the city.

Historical/narrative use.

Me retiro porque estoy cansado.

I am leaving because I am tired.

Causal sentence.

Ella decidió retirarse de la competencia.

She decided to withdraw from the competition.

Verb 'decidir' followed by infinitive.

Es importante retirarse cuando uno ya no es feliz.

It's important to withdraw when one is no longer happy.

Impersonal 'uno' construction.

Se retiró de la política tras el escándalo.

He retired from politics after the scandal.

Preposition 'de' indicating the source.

Dudo que el equipo se retire del torneo.

I doubt the team will withdraw from the tournament.

Present subjunctive after 'dudo que'.

Si te sientes mal, deberías retirarte.

If you feel sick, you should leave.

Conditional 'si' clause with modal 'deber'.

El embajador se ha retirado de la embajada.

The ambassador has withdrawn from the embassy.

Present perfect tense.

Me retiraré de este negocio pronto.

I will withdraw from this business soon.

Future tense.

Nos retiramos a la montaña cada verano.

We retreat to the mountains every summer.

Habitual present.

Fue una decisión difícil retirarse así.

It was a difficult decision to retire like that.

Infinitive as a subject complement.

Las tropas se retiraron estratégicamente.

The troops retreated strategically.

Adverbial modification.

El juez ordenó que el jurado se retirara.

The judge ordered the jury to withdraw.

Imperfect subjunctive in a noun clause.

Se retiró a una vida de meditación.

He withdrew to a life of meditation.

Abstract destination.

A pesar de la presión, no se retiró.

Despite the pressure, he did not withdraw.

Concessive clause.

Se están retirando los fondos de la cuenta.

The funds are being withdrawn from the account.

Passive 'se' or reflexive used for inanimate objects.

Me retiraría si tuviera otra opción.

I would withdraw if I had another option.

Conditional mood.

Se retiró de la vida pública por completo.

He withdrew from public life completely.

Emphasis with 'por completo'.

Es conveniente que nos retiremos ahora.

It is advisable that we withdraw now.

Subjunctive after 'es conveniente que'.

El mar se retiró, dejando ver las caracolas.

The sea receded, revealing the shells.

Metaphorical/natural use.

Se retiró con la dignidad intacta.

He retired with his dignity intact.

Prepositional phrase describing manner.

La empresa se retiró de la puja final.

The company withdrew from the final bid.

Business terminology.

Retirarse a tiempo es una forma de victoria.

Withdrawing in time is a form of victory.

Philosophical statement.

Se retiró de la escena sin dejar rastro.

He withdrew from the scene without leaving a trace.

Narrative style.

El apoyo internacional se retiró gradualmente.

International support was withdrawn gradually.

Abstract subject.

Me retiré a mis pensamientos más profundos.

I withdrew into my deepest thoughts.

Poetic/Metaphorical.

No pudo evitar retirarse ante tal ofensa.

He couldn't help but withdraw in the face of such an insult.

Compound verb 'no poder evitar' + infinitive.

El crepúsculo obligó a las sombras a retirarse.

The twilight forced the shadows to retreat.

Personification.

Se retiró a un ostracismo voluntario.

He withdrew into voluntary ostracism.

Advanced vocabulary 'ostracismo'.

La marea de la historia hizo que se retiraran los imperios.

The tide of history caused empires to retreat.

Grand historical narrative.

Al retirarse el velo, la verdad quedó expuesta.

As the veil was withdrawn, the truth was exposed.

Temporal clause with 'al' + infinitive.

Se retiró de la lid con el corazón apesadumbrado.

He withdrew from the fight with a heavy heart.

Archaic/Literary 'lid'.

La luz se retira de los valles al anochecer.

The light retreats from the valleys at dusk.

Nature description.

Se retiraron los cargos por falta de pruebas.

The charges were withdrawn for lack of evidence.

Legal passive 'se'.

Su alma se retiró del mundo terrenal.

His soul withdrew from the earthly world.

Metaphysical usage.

Colocações comuns

Retirarse a tiempo

Retirarse de la política

Retirarse a descansar

Retirarse de la vida pública

Retirarse a deliberar

Retirarse del mercado

Retirarse de un acuerdo

Retirarse a sus aposentos

Retirarse por lesión

Retirarse de la mesa

Frases Comuns

Con su permiso, me retiro.

— A very polite way to say you are leaving a room or a conversation.

Ya terminé mi trabajo. Con su permiso, me retiro.

Retirarse a los cuarteles de invierno.

— To withdraw from active life for a period of time to rest or regroup.

El escritor se retiró a los cuarteles de invierno para escribir su novela.

Una retirada a tiempo es una victoria.

— Knowing when to quit is as good as winning.

No sigas discutiendo; una retirada a tiempo es una victoria.

Retirarse del mundanal ruido.

— To go to a quiet place away from the busy world.

Quiero retirarme del mundanal ruido y vivir en el campo.

Retirarse de la lid.

— To pull out of a contest or fight.

Se retiró de la lid electoral por falta de fondos.

Retirarse por la puerta grande.

— To retire while at the peak of success.

El torero se retiró por la puerta grande.

Retirarse a meditar.

— To go somewhere quiet to think deeply.

Me retiro a meditar sobre mi futuro.

Retirarse de la circulación.

— To stop being active or available (often used for products or people).

Ese modelo de coche ya se retiró de la circulación.

Retirarse a buen paso.

— To leave quickly but in an orderly manner.

Las tropas se retiraron a buen paso.

Retirarse de la palabra.

— To take back what one said (rare).

Se retiró de la palabra dada anteriormente.

Frequentemente confundido com

retirarse vs Jubilarse

Jubilarse is only for the end of a career due to old age and pension. Retirarse is more general.

retirarse vs Retirar

Retirar (non-reflexive) means to remove something, like a plate or money. Retirarse is to remove yourself.

retirarse vs Apartarse

Apartarse means to move aside, while retirarse means to leave the area or activity.

Expressões idiomáticas

"Poner pies en polvorosa"

— To flee or retreat very quickly (informal).

Cuando vio a la policía, puso pies en polvorosa.

Informal

"Dar un paso atrás"

— To withdraw or retreat from a position.

El gobierno dio un paso atrás con la nueva ley.

Political

"Tirar la toalla"

— To give up or withdraw from a challenge.

No tires la toalla, sigue intentándolo.

Common

"Ahí os quedáis"

— A casual way to say you are leaving others behind.

Yo me retiro, ahí os quedáis.

Slang

"Ahuecar el ala"

— To leave a place, often quickly or because one is not welcome.

Será mejor que ahuequemos el ala antes de que se enfade.

Colloquial

"Coger las de Villadiego"

— To flee or leave in a hurry.

En cuanto pudo, cogió las de Villadiego.

Old-fashioned

"Levantar el campamento"

— To pack up and leave a place.

Ya es tarde, vamos a levantar el campamento.

Common

"Hacer mutis por el foro"

— To leave the scene quietly or discreetly.

Vio que la situación era tensa y hizo mutis por el foro.

Literary/Theatrical

"Picar espuelas"

— To leave quickly, originally on horseback.

Picó espuelas y desapareció en el horizonte.

Archaic

"Ponerse a buen recaudo"

— To withdraw to a safe place.

Se puso a buen recaudo antes de la tormenta.

Formal

Fácil de confundir

retirarse vs Jubilarse

Both translate to 'retire' in English.

Jubilarse is specifically for age-based retirement with a pension. Retirarse is for leaving any situation, career, or place.

Mi abuela se jubiló a los 70, pero el futbolista se retiró a los 35.

retirarse vs Irse

Both mean 'to leave'.

Irse is casual and general. Retirarse is formal and often implies going to rest or a strategic exit.

Me voy al cine (Casual). Me retiro a descansar (Formal).

retirarse vs Retroceder

Both imply moving back.

Retroceder is the physical act of moving backward. Retirarse is leaving the scene entirely.

El perro retrocedió asustado. El ejército se retiró del país.

retirarse vs Dimitir

Both involve leaving a job.

Dimitir is a formal resignation from a post. Retirarse is a broader withdrawal from a career or activity.

El ministro dimitió de su cargo. El actor se retiró de la actuación.

retirarse vs Apartarse

Both involve moving away.

Apartarse is moving to the side or distancing oneself. Retirarse is a more definitive departure.

Apártate del camino. Me retiro de la competencia.

Padrões de frases

Me retiro a + [infinitive]

Me retiro a comer.

Se retiró de + [place]

Se retiró de la escuela.

Decidir + retirarse

Decidió retirarse del equipo.

Es hora de que se retiren

Es hora de que se retiren los niños.

Retirarse con + [abstract noun]

Se retiró con honor.

Al retirarse + [subject]

Al retirarse el sol, refrescó.

Pensar + en + retirarse

Pienso en retirarme pronto.

No poder + retirarse

No pudo retirarse a tiempo.

Família de palavras

Substantivos

Retiro (Retirement/Retreat)

Retirada (Retreat/Withdrawal)

Verbos

Retirar (To remove/withdraw something)

Adjetivos

Retirado (Retired/Remote)

Retirable (Withdrawable)

Relacionado

Jubilación

Apartamiento

Retroceso

Recesión

Abandono

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Como usar

frequency

Common in formal speech, news, and literature. Less common in very casual street slang.

Erros comuns

Using 'retirarse' for a regular pension retirement. → Jubilarse
While 'retirarse' is understood, 'jubilarse' is the specific term for retirement after a lifetime of work.
Saying 'Retiro ahora' to mean 'I am leaving now'. → Me retiro ahora
You must include the reflexive pronoun 'me' to indicate you are the one leaving.
Confusing 'retirar dinero' with 'retirarse dinero'. → Retirar dinero
Withdrawing money is not reflexive because the money is the object being removed.
Using 'retirarse' in a very casual, slangy setting. → Irse / Marcharse
'Retirarse' can sound too stiff or formal among close friends at a casual bar.
Using the wrong preposition: 'Me retiro en la fiesta'. → Me retiro DE la fiesta
Use 'de' to show the place you are withdrawing FROM.

Dicas

Don't forget the 'se'

Always remember that 'retirarse' is reflexive. Without the pronoun, you're removing an object, not yourself.

Retirarse vs Jubilarse

Use 'jubilarse' for grandpa's pension and 'retirarse' for a player's last game.

Polite Exits

Saying 'Con su permiso, me retiro' is the gold standard for leaving a formal meeting in Spanish.

Military Use

In news about conflicts, 'retirada' is the noun you'll hear most for troops moving back.

Reflexive Pronouns

Listen for 'me', 'te', 'se' before 'retirar' to know the person is leaving themselves.

Formal Emails

Use 'Me retiro de mi cargo' to sound professional when resigning from a volunteer position.

The Spanish 'R'

Keep the 'r' light and short. It's a tap, not a roll.

Leaving the Table

If you need to leave the dinner table early, 'Me retiro' is the perfect polite phrase.

El Retiro Park

Remember the famous park in Madrid to associate the word with 'retreat' and 'peace'.

Dramatic Exits

In plays or movies, characters 'se retiran' to emphasize the importance of their departure.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Imagine a 'RETIREe' who is 'RETI-ing' (re-tying) their shoes to 'RETIRE' (withdraw) from the race.

Associação visual

Picture a soldier walking backwards away from a fire, or a person in pajamas waving goodbye to a party.

Word Web

Retiro espiritual Retiro de fondos Retirada militar Jubilarse Irse Marcharse Dormir Apartarse

Desafio

Try to use 'me retiro' instead of 'me voy' next time you leave a formal dinner or a meeting.

Origem da palavra

From the Spanish verb 'retirar', which comes from the French 'retirer'.

Significado original: To draw back or to pull back again ('re-' + 'tirer').

Romance (Latin root 'trahere' via French 'tirer').

Contexto cultural

Be careful when using 'retirarse' with elderly people; 'jubilarse' is the respectful term for their career status, while 'retirarse' might imply they are being pushed out.

English speakers often confuse 'retire' (stop working) with 'withdraw'. 'Retirarse' covers both, but 'jubilarse' is the more common word for the end of a long career.

Parque del Buen Retiro (Madrid) The retirement of Diego Maradona The military retreat of Napoleon from Moscow (La retirada de Rusia)

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

At a party

Me retiro, gracias por todo.
¿Ya te retiras?
Es hora de retirarse.
Nos retiramos pronto.

In sports

Se retira de las canchas.
¿Cuándo piensas retirarte?
Se retiró por una lesión.
Un retiro glorioso.

In the military

Orden de retirarse.
Se retiraron a las montañas.
Retirada estratégica.
No se retiren.

At work

Se retiró de la empresa.
Me retiro del proyecto.
Plan de retiro.
Retirarse a los 50.

In finance

Retirarse de una inversión.
Retirarse del mercado.
Retiro de fondos.
Retirarse de la subasta.

Iniciadores de conversa

"¿A qué edad te gustaría retirarte de tu trabajo actual?"

"¿Eres de los que se retiran temprano de las fiestas o te quedas hasta el final?"

"¿Crees que un deportista debe retirarse cuando está en la cima?"

"¿A qué lugar del mundo te retirarías para vivir en paz?"

"¿Alguna vez has tenido que retirarte de un proyecto a mitad de camino?"

Temas para diário

Describe un momento en el que decidiste retirarte de una situación difícil.

Si pudieras retirarte hoy mismo, ¿cómo pasarías tu tiempo libre?

Escribe sobre un deportista famoso que se retiró recientemente y cómo te sentiste.

¿Qué significa para ti 'retirarse con dignidad'?

Reflexiona sobre la diferencia entre irse de un lugar y retirarse de él.

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

Yes, 'retirarse' is a polite and slightly formal way to say you are going to bed. For example: 'Me retiro a mi habitación' (I am withdrawing to my room). It sounds more elegant than 'Me voy a dormir'.

'Retirar' (transitive) means to take something away, like 'Retiro el dinero' (I withdraw the money). 'Retirarse' (reflexive) means to take yourself away, like 'Me retiro de la fiesta' (I leave the party).

Yes, it is the standard word for a military retreat. 'El ejército se retiró' means the army retreated from their position.

Yes, but usually for athletes, artists, or people ending their career for reasons other than just age. For standard age-based retirement, 'jubilarse' is more common.

It is more formal than 'irse' or 'marcharse'. Using it in social settings shows good manners and a high level of Spanish.

You would say 'Me retiré' (Preterite) or 'Me he retirado' (Present Perfect).

Yes, in a passive sense or metaphorical sense. 'El producto se retiró del mercado' (The product was withdrawn from the market) or 'El mar se retiró' (The sea receded).

Usually 'de' (from) to indicate the place or activity you are leaving, and 'a' (to) to indicate where you are going.

Yes, it follows the regular conjugation for '-ar' verbs (retiro, retiras, retira, etc.).

Yes, 'el retiro' (retirement/retreat) and 'la retirada' (the retreat/withdrawal).

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