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"Unfasten" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "desabrochar", and "untie" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "desatar". Learn more about the difference between "unfasten" and "untie" below.
unfasten(
uhn
-
fah
-
sihn
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (general)
a. desabrochar
Please, sir, don't unfasten your seat belt until the warning light turns off.Por favor, señor, no desabroche el cinturón de seguridad hasta que la luz de aviso se apague.
Unfasten your seat belt while the plane is refueling.Desabróchese el cinturón de seguridad mientras el avión está recargando combustible.
b. deshacer
I can't unfasten this knot; it's too tight.No puedo deshacer este nudo; está muy apretado.
untie(
uhn
-
tay
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. desatar
I'm going to need help untying this knot.Voy a necesitar de ayuda para desatar este nudo.
b. deshacer
Someone has tied this knot so tight I can't untie it.Alguien apretó tanto el nudo que no lo puedo deshacer.
c. desamarrar (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
He was untying his shoelaces to get a stone out of his shoe.Desamarraba los cordones para sacarse una piedra del zapato.
a. soltar
She screamed at her captors to untie her, but they ignored her.Pidió a sus captores a gritos que la soltaran, pero no le hicieron caso.
b. desatar
The guards only untied the prisoners at mealtimes.Los guardias solo desataban a los prisioneros a las horas de las comidas.
c. desamarrar (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
The man untied his horse, mounted, and rode off.El hombre desamarró su caballo, montó y partió.
