soltar
Lemma Details
Translation: to release; to let go; to drop; to loosen; to utter; to blurt out
Part of Speech: verb
Etymology: Soltar comes from Latin 'solutus', the past participle of 'solvere' meaning 'to loosen, untie, release'. This same Latin root gave English words like 'solve', 'dissolve', and 'solution'. The semantic connection is clear: when you solve a problem, you're metaphorically 'loosening' or 'untying' it. Similarly, soltar in Spanish refers to physically or figuratively releasing something that was previously held or constrained.
Commonality: 80%
Guessability: 40%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Suelta mi mano, por favor.
Let go of my hand, please.
El prisionero fue soltado después de cumplir su condena.
The prisoner was released after serving his sentence.
No pudo evitar soltar una lágrima al escuchar la noticia.
He couldn't help shedding a tear when he heard the news.
Soltó un comentario inapropiado durante la reunión.
He blurted out an inappropriate comment during the meeting.
Tienes que aprender a soltar el pasado.
You need to learn to let go of the past.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'soltar' as related to 'solution' - when you find a solution, you 'release' yourself from a problem.
- The 'sol' in 'soltar' can remind you of a 'soldier' being released from duty.
- Imagine someone saying 'I'll let (soltar) the cat out of the bag' to help remember it means 'to release'.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Cultural Context
In Spanish culture, 'soltar' has both literal and figurative uses that are common in everyday speech. The concept of 'letting go' extends to emotional contexts as well as physical ones. The related noun 'soltero/soltera' (single person) comes from the same root, with the idea of someone who is 'released' from marital bonds.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'soltar' means 'to release or let go', 'saltar' means 'to jump'. They look and sound similar but have completely different meanings.
Confused word:
El atleta saltó más de dos metros de altura.
The athlete jumped more than two meters high.
Notes: The stem changes in present tense: soltar → suelto (I release), but saltar → salto (I jump).
Mnemonic: Remember: soltar has an 'o' like 'open your hand' to release something; saltar has an 'a' like 'up in the air' when you jump.
Explanation: 'Soltar' is a verb meaning 'to release', while 'solar' can be an adjective meaning 'solar' or a noun meaning 'plot of land'.
Confused word:
Han instalado paneles solares en el tejado.
They have installed solar panels on the roof.
Notes: Solar as a noun (meaning 'plot of land') is less commonly encountered by beginners.
Mnemonic: Solar has the same spelling as the English word 'solar' (relating to the sun), while soltar has a 't' for 'take your hands off'.