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"Despegar" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to take off", and "quitarse" is a reflexive verb which is also often translated as "to take off". Learn more about the difference between "despegar" and "quitarse" below.
despegar(
dehs
-
peh
-
gahr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to take off
La compañía despegó después de lanzar su nuevo producto.The company took off after releasing its new product.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
3. (to detach)
despegarse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
a. to become unstuck
La mariposa se despegó de la telaraña y se fue volando.The butterfly became unstuck from the spiderweb and flew away.
quitarse(
kee
-
tahr
-
seh
)A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
a. to take off
Quítense la ropa mojada antes de entrar a la casa.Take off your wet clothes before entering the house.
quitar
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
4. (to grab)
a. to take away
Le quité la carta que le había escrito.I took the letter I had written away from him.
5. (to ease)
b. to take away
Le dieron morfina para quitar el dolor que sufrió después del accidente.They gave him morphine to take away the pain he suffered after the accident.
6. (to consume)
7. (to exclude)
a. except for
Quitando las almendras, me gustan todos los frutos secos.Except for almonds, I like all nuts.
