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"Renunciar" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to resign", and "declinar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to decline". Learn more about the difference between "renunciar" and "declinar" below.
renunciar(
rreh
-
noon
-
syahr
)
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. to resign
El político decidió renunciar después del escándalo.The politician decided to resign after the scandal.
b. to quit
He decidido renunciar a mi puesto.I've decided to quit my job.
a. to relinquish (inheritance, throne)
La princesa debió renunciar a reclamar el trono.The princess had to relinquish all claims to the throne.
b. to waive (rights)
Al firmar esta exención, acepta renunciar a sus derechos.By signing this waiver, you agree to waive your rights.
c. to renounce
Renunciaron a recurrir a la lucha armada.They renounced the armed struggle.
3. (cards)
Regionalism used in Spain
(Spain)
a. to revoke
¡Has renunciado! ¡Tenías diamantes, pero no seguiste la baza!You've revoked! You have diamonds, but you didn't follow suit!
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declinar(
deh
-
klee
-
nahr
)
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. to decline
Tengo que declinar tu invitación porque me voy a encontrar en el exterior.I must decline your invitation because I'm going abroad.
b. to reject
El consejo declinó la petición por unanimidad.The board rejected the petition unanimously.
c. to turn down
El salario no era bueno, así que decliné la oferta de trabajo.The salary wasn't high, so I turned down the job proposal.
d. to not accept
El gobierno declinó la solicitud de mi amigo para una visa.The government didn't accept my friend's application for a visa.
a. to decline
Declina los pronombres personales en los casos acusativo y dativo.Decline the personal pronouns in the accusative and dative cases.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. to draw to a close
Los búhos aparecen cuando declina el día.Owls appear when the day draws to a close.
a. to decline
El anciano se enfermó de neumonía y su salud comenzó a declinar.The old man got pneumonia, and his health began to decline.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.