restaurar
Lemma Details
Translation: to restore; to repair; to renovate; to reinstate; to recover
Part of Speech: verb
Etymology: From Latin 'restaurare' meaning 'to restore, rebuild, renew'. This is the same Latin root that gave English 'restore' and 'restaurant' (originally a place where one's strength is restored through food). The Spanish 'restaurar' maintains this core meaning of bringing something back to its original condition.
Commonality: 70%
Guessability: 80%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Están restaurando la catedral antigua.
They are restoring the old cathedral.
El gobierno planea restaurar el edificio histórico.
The government plans to restore the historic building.
Es importante restaurar los ecosistemas dañados.
It's important to restore damaged ecosystems.
El técnico restauró mi computadora después del virus.
The technician restored my computer after the virus.
Mnemonics
- Think of a 'restaurant' as a place that 'restores' your energy through food.
- Remember the English word 'restore' which looks and sounds similar to 'restaurar'.
- Picture an old painting being carefully 'restored' to its original beauty.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
In Spanish-speaking countries, 'restaurar' is commonly used in contexts of architectural preservation and art conservation. Spain and many Latin American countries have significant historical buildings and artwork that undergo restoration processes, making this verb culturally significant.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'restaurar' means to restore something to its previous condition, 'instaurar' means to establish or institute something new.
This word:
Vamos a restaurar el antiguo sistema de archivo.
We're going to restore the old filing system.
Confused word:
Vamos a instaurar un nuevo sistema de archivo.
We're going to establish a new filing system.
Notes: Both verbs are used in formal contexts, especially in government, business, and institutional settings.
Mnemonic: 'Restaurar' has 're-' like 'restore' (bringing back), while 'instaurar' has 'in-' like 'install' (putting in something new).
Explanation: 'Restaurar' means to bring back to original condition, while 'reestructurar' means to reorganize or restructure something, often changing its original form.
Confused word:
La empresa reestructuró su departamento de ventas.
The company restructured its sales department.
Notes: 'Reestructurar' often implies modernization or improvement through change, while 'restaurar' implies returning to a previous (often better) state.
Mnemonic: Think of 'restaurar' as preserving the original structure, while 'reestructurar' involves changing the structure.