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"Largar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to pay out", and "liberar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to free". Learn more about the difference between "largar" and "liberar" below.
largar(
lahr
-
gahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (nautical)
a. to pay out
Larga cuerda gradualmente mientras el escafandrista desciende.Gradually pay out the rope as the deep-sea diver goes down.
2. (colloquial) (to deliver)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. to give
La maestra no largó ni una pista para ayudarnos a resolver el acertijo.The teacher didn't give us any hints to help us solve the riddle.
3. (colloquial) (to unload)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. to dump on (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Le podemos largar los chicos a la abuela y así nos vamos a cenar a un restorán.We can dump the kids on Grandma and go to a restaurant for dinner.
4. (colloquial) (to lay off)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. to fire (colloquial) (United States)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United States
Si sigues llegando tarde a trabajar, te tendremos que largar.If you keep coming late to work, we will have to fire you.
b. to sack (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Al contador lo largaron por robar dinero.The accountant was sacked for stealing money.
c. to give the boot (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Lo largamos porque era lento y haragán.We gave him the boot because he was slow and lazy.
5. (colloquial) (to abandon)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. to dump (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Su novia lo largó tras cinco años de relación.His girlfriend dumped him after a five year relationship.
6. (to tell)
a. to spill the beans (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
El músico largó su experiencia con el abuso de drogas a la prensa.The musician spilled the beans on his drug abuse to the press.
a. to throw
El mediocampista fue derribado antes de que pudiera largar la pelota.The midfielder was knocked down before he could throw the ball.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
10. (colloquial) (to natter) (Spain)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Spain
a. to yack (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Dejad de largar y callaos.You two stop yacking and keep it quiet.
11. (to start) (South America)
Regionalism used in South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela
a. to be off (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Comenzó a llover justo antes de que largaran los coches, y la pista quedó resbaladiza.It started raining right before the cars were off, making the race track slippery.
largarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
12. (colloquial) (to depart)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
b. to take off (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Larguémonos antes de que empiece a llover.Let's take off before it starts raining.
c. to be off (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Tengo una cita y estoy retrasado. Me largo.I'm late for my date. I'm off.
d. to clear off (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Este es mi terreno. Lárgate o llamo a la policía.This is my property. Clear off or I'll call the police.
a. to start
Cuando llegamos a la playa, se largó a llover.When we arrived to the beach, it started raining.
14. (colloquial) (to expel) (River Plate)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. to let off
¿Te largaste un pedo? ¡Abre la ventana, asqueroso!Did you just let off a fart? Open the window, you nasty pig!
a. to jump
El niño en el trampolín olímpico tiene miedo de largarse.The boy on the Olympic diving board is too scared to jump.
liberar(
lee
-
beh
-
rahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to free
Al final de la guerra liberaron a todos los prisioneros.All prisoners were freed at the end of the war.
c. to release (a hostage or a prisoner)
Los terroristas liberaron a los rehenes tras el pago del rescate.The terrorists released the hostages after the ransom was paid.
d. to liberate (a country or a city)
En 1945, los Aliados liberaron a los Países Bajos de la ocupación nazi.In 1945, the Allies liberated the Netherlands from Nazi occupation.
a. to free
Eso no les libera de los compromisos adquiridos.That doesn't free them from the commitments they have undertaken.
b. to release (from an obligation)
Las partes pueden ser liberadas de su obligación de confidencialidad por mandato judicial.The parties can be released from the obligation of confidentiality by court order.
c. to exempt (from a payment)
En dichos casos el inquilino queda liberado del pago.In such cases, the tenant is exempted from the payment.
3. (finance)
a. to deregulate (prices)
El gobierno se propone liberar gradualmente los precios del combustible.The government's aim is to gradually deregulate fuel prices.
b. to release (shares)
Solo se pueden liberar las acciones cuyo valor esté totalmente cubierto.Only shares whose full value is covered can be released.
c. to float (currency or exchange rate)
Liberar la divisa podría llevar a una fuerte devaluación de la misma.Floating the currency might lead to its sharp devaluation.
a. to unlock
¿Cuánto cobran ustedes por liberar un celular?How much do you charge to unlock a cell phone?
a. to release (energy or a gas)
La energía liberada por el sol no se mantiene siempre constante.The energy released by the sun is not always the same.
liberarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to liberate oneself
Esas mujeres hicieron lo imposible por liberarse de los condicionamientos sociales.Those women did everything they could to liberate themselves from social conditioning.
a. to rid oneself of (a feeling or prejudice)
Para poner fin a la discriminación, tendríamos antes que liberarnos de nuestros prejuicios.In order to put an end to discrimination, we'd first have to rid ourselves of our prejudices.
b. to free oneself from (inhibitions or debts)
Libérate de tus inhibiciones y déjate llevar por la música.Free yourself from inhibitions and let yourself be carried away by the music.
