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"Abandonar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to abandon", and "renunciar" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to resign". Learn more about the difference between "abandonar" and "renunciar" below.
abandonar(
ah
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bahn
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doh
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nahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to abandon
Abandonó a su bebé en la puerta de un convento.She abandoned her baby at the door of a convent.
b. to leave
Abandonar a tu esposa por una mujer más joven es tan estereotipado.Leaving your wife for a younger woman is so clichéd.
a. to leave
En agosto muchos parisinos abandonan la capital para irse de vacaciones.Many Parisians leave the capital in August to go on vacation.
a. to give up
Al final abandonó la lucha y presentó su dimisión.In the end she gave up the struggle and handed in her resignation.
b. to drop out of (studies)
Decidió abandonar la carrera después de sólo seis meses.She decided to drop out of university after only six months.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
4. (sports)
a. to withdraw (before a race or competition)
La corredora tuvo que abandonar la carrera debido a una lesión de los isquiotibiales.The runner had to withdraw from the race with a hamstring injury.
b. to retire (during a race or competition)
A pesar de haber ganado el primer set, el jugador abandonó a causa de una lesión de espalda.Despite winning the first set, the player had to retire due to a back injury.
c. to pull out
Es posible que el equipo tenga que abandonar antes de la final.It's possible the team may have to pull out before the final.
e. to throw in the towel (boxing) (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Este boxeador ha recibido una paliza. Seguramente abandonará, ¿no?This boxer is taking a beating. He'll surely throw in the towel, won't he?
abandonarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to let oneself go
Will se abandonó, ¿no te parece? ¿Viste su panza cervecera?Will has let himself go, don't you think? Have you noticed his beer belly?
b. to neglect oneself
Christina es muy buena cuidando a otros, pero muy a menudo se abandona. Christina is very good at taking care of others, but she often neglects herself.
a. to give in
Se abandonó a la tentación y se compró el vestido.She gave in to temptation and bought herself the dress.
renunciar(
rreh
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noon
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syahr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to relinquish (inheritance, throne)
La princesa debió renunciar a reclamar el trono.The princess had to relinquish all claims to the throne.
