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"Soltarse" is a reflexive verb which is often translated as "to come off", and "destaparse" is a reflexive verb which is often translated as "to throw the covers off". Learn more about the difference between "soltarse" and "destaparse" below.
soltarse(
sohl
-
tahr
-
seh
)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.).
2. (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.
soltar
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.
5. (to free)
b. to release
Suelta el loro para que podamos ver si vuela.Release the parrot so we can see if it flies.
6. (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.
8. (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.
10. (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.
11. (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.
destaparse(
dehs
-
tah
-
pahr
-
seh
)A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
a. to throw the covers off
Inés se destapa todas las noches y amanece fría.Inés throws the covers off every night and wakes up cold.
b. to throw the bedclothes off
Me destapé porque tenía calor.I threw the bedclothes off because I was hot.
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to open up (by talking openly)
Mi mejor amiga es la única persona con quien me he destapado.My best friend is the only person I've ever opened up to.
b. to come out (by appearing publicly)
El antiguo cantante se destapó como posible candidato independiente.The former singer has come out as a possible independent candidate.
3. (to clear)
a. to be unblocked
No estarás sorda cuando se te destapen los oídos.You won't be deaf once your ears are unblocked.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Desde que estuvo nadando, a Betty no se le han destapado los oídos.Betty's ears have been blocked ever since she went swimming.
¿Qué hago para que se me destapen los oídos?How can I unblock my ears?
4. (colloquial) (to undress)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
5. (colloquial) (to declare one's homosexuality)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. to come out
Michelle se sintió más libre cuando se destapó ante sus padres.Michelle felt freer when she had come out to her parents.
destapar
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
b. to take the lid off (a box, pot or container)
Deja la sopa tapada los primeros diez minutos. Después destapa la olla y déjala reposar.Keep the soup covered for the first ten minutes. Then take the lid off the pot and let it stand.
c. to uncork (a bottle with cork)
¿Me podrías ayudar a destapar el vino?Could you help me uncork the wine?
a. to uncover
Fue Alejandro quien destapó el secreto de mi abuela.It was Alejandro who uncovered my grandmother's secret.
b. to reveal
El gobernador destapó a su sucesor la tarde de ayer.Yesterday afternoon the governor revealed who his successor would be.
c. to lift the lid on (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Carlos es el periodista que destapó el fraude masivo en la empresa.Carlos is the journalist who lifted the lid on the massive fraud going on in the company.
8. (to clear) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. to unblock
Le pidieron al conserje ayuda para destapar el inodoro.They asked the janitor to help them unblock the toilet.
b. to unclog
Necesito el desatascador para destapar el desagüe.I need the plunger to unclog the drain.
a. to pull the covers off
Mario da muchas vueltas en la cama y siempre acaba destapando a su esposa.Mario tosses and turns a lot in bed and he always ends up pulling the covers off his wife.
