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"Soltarse" is a reflexive verb which is often translated as "to come off", and "liberarse" is a pronominal verb which is often translated as "to liberate oneself". Learn more about the difference between "soltarse" and "liberarse" 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.
liberarse(
lee
-
beh
-
rahr
-
seh
)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.
liberar
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.
5. (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.
