deshacer
Lemma Details
Translation: to undo; to take apart; to dismantle; to destroy; to break up; to dissolve
Part of Speech: verb
Etymology: Deshacer comes from the Latin 'disfacere', combining the prefix 'dis-' (indicating reversal or negation) with 'facere' (to do or make). It's directly related to English words like 'defect' and 'defeat' which share the same Latin roots. The Spanish 'hacer' (to do/make) and English 'fact' both derive from 'facere', making this connection helpful for remembering that deshacer essentially means 'to un-do' or 'to un-make'.
Commonality: 70%
Guessability: 60%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Necesito deshacer este nudo.
I need to undo this knot.
El hielo se deshace en agua.
The ice melts into water.
Deshizo todo el trabajo que habíamos hecho.
He undid all the work we had done.
Se deshizo de sus viejos libros.
He got rid of his old books.
La abuela se deshizo en elogios hacia su nieto.
The grandmother showered her grandson with praise.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'des-' as 'dis-' in English (opposite) + 'hacer' (to do) = 'to undo'
- Visualize 'deshacer' as pressing the 'undo' button on a computer to reverse what you just did
- Remember 'des-hacer' literally means 'un-do'
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Cultural Context
The verb is commonly used both literally (for physical dismantling) and figuratively (for emotional states). The phrase 'deshacerse en lágrimas' (to burst into tears) is a common idiomatic expression in Spanish literature and everyday speech.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'deshacer' means 'to undo' or 'to take apart', 'hacer' means 'to do' or 'to make'. They are direct opposites.
This word:
Voy a deshacer la maleta después del viaje.
I'm going to unpack the suitcase after the trip.
Notes: These verbs are often used in the same contexts but with opposite meanings.
Mnemonic: Remember 'des-' is like the English prefix 'un-', so deshacer is 'un-do'.
Explanation: 'Deshacer' means to undo or take apart, while 'desechar' means to discard or reject.
Confused word:
Voy a desechar este suéter viejo porque ya no me sirve.
I'm going to discard this old sweater because it's no longer useful to me.
Notes: Both involve getting rid of something, but 'deshacer' implies taking apart or undoing, while 'desechar' implies discarding entirely.
Mnemonic: Think of 'desechar' as 'to throw away' (echar = to throw), while 'deshacer' is 'to undo'.