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"Soltar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to let go of", and "arrastrar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to drag". Learn more about the difference between "soltar" and "arrastrar" below.
soltar(
sohl
-
tahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
c. to put down
El maestro soltó la tiza y levantó el borrador.The teacher put down the chalk and picked up the eraser.
a. to loosen
Antes de ponerse los zapatos, hay que soltar los lazos.Before you put on your shoes, you have to loosen the laces.
3. (to free)
b. to release
Suelta el loro para que podamos ver si vuela.Release the parrot so we can see if it flies.
4. (automobile)
a. to release
Primero suelta el freno, después pon el pie en el acelerador.First release the brake, then put your foot on the gas pedal.
a. to let out
Soltó una risotada al oír la noticia comiquísima.She let out a burst of laughter when she heard the hilarious news.
b. to let fly
Le soltó palabras duras a su jefe, y luego su jefe lo despidió.He let fly some harsh words for his boss, and then his boss let him go.
6. (to radiate)
a. to give off
Después de un día de excursión a pie, Rodney estaba soltando un olor desagradable.After a day of hiking, Rodney was giving off an unpleasant odor.
a. to give up
Aunque Juan de verdad ya no quería el puesto, no lo quería soltar a su rival, Pedro.Even though Juan didn’t like the job anymore, he didn’t want to give it up to his rival, Pedro.
8. (colloquial) (to supply)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. to cough up (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
O sueltas el dinero, o encontraremos otra manera de hacer que pagues.You can either cough up the money, or we'll find another way to make you pay.
9. (to moult)
a. to shed
Me encanta mi suéter de cachemira, pero odio que suelta pelusa en mi camisa.I love my cashmere sweater, but I hate how it sheds lint all over my shirt.
soltarse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
11. (to escape)
a. to break free
Los perros se soltaron cuando a Paco se le olvidó cerrar el portón.The dogs broke free when Paco forgot to close the gate.
arrastrar(
ah
-
rrahs
-
trahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
b. to sweep (clothing)
Mi hija va a llevar un vestido con una cola que arrastra.My daughter will wear a dress with a train that sweeps the ground.
c. to brush (clothing)
Esa falda es tan larga que arrastra el suelo.That skirt is so long that it brushes the ground.
2. (to pull)
a. to sweep away (a river)
El caballo fue arrastrado por el río mientras intentaba cruzarlo.The horse was swept away by the river as he was trying to cross it.
b. to carry out (the ocean)
Las olas arrastraron la balsa mar adentro.The waves carried the raft out to sea.
c. to blow along (wind)
El viento arrastra las hojas en la acera.The wind is blowing the leaves along the sidewalk.
3. (automobile)
4. (finance)
a. to drag down
El cierre de la fábrica arrastró el mercado.The factory closure dragged down the market.
6. (to lure)
a. to draw
Ese artista callejero siempre arrastra a la multitud.That street performer always draws a crowd.
a. to influence
No te permitas arrastrar por sus palabras.Don't let yourself be influenced by his words.
b. to win over
No es de los que se deja arrastrar por una moda pasajera.She's not the type to be won over by a fad.
8. (to mumble)
a. to slur
¿Por qué estás arrastrando las palabras? - No he dormido y tengo mucho sueño.Why are you slurring your words? - I didn't sleep and I'm very tired.
arrastrarse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
a. to crawl
¿Por qué ese perro se está arrastrando como un bebé?Why is that dog crawling like a baby?
c. to drag oneself
El soldado se arrastró por el suelo.The soldier dragged himself along the ground.
