Spanish word

decantar

Pronunciation

IPA/dekanˈtaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbpour off

Example

Voy a decantar el líquido a otro recipiente.

I am going to pour off the liquid into another vessel.

Illustration for decantar (pour off)

More examples

¿Puedes decantar el vino antes de servirlo?

Can you pour off the wine before serving it?

Core concept

Gently tilting a vessel so the clear liquid flows away while sediment stays behind.

Common phrases

  • decantar el vino

    pour off the wine

  • decantar un líquido a otro recipiente

    pour a liquid into another container

Similar words

verter: Pours liquid from one container into another in a steady, continuous flow.
servir: Pours or places food and drinks into dishes or cups to present them to people.

Definition in Spanish

Mover o verter suavemente un líquido de un recipiente a otro para separar la parte clara del sedimento; también usarse metafóricamente para indicar que algo gana preferencia.

Word origin

Borrowed via French from Latin and Greek roots de- away from and kantharos/cantharus cup, which together express moving liquid away from the vessel.

Usage tips

  • When used figuratively the reflexive form decantarse por marks 'leaning toward' and this figurative use is more common in writing than casual conversation.

Other meanings

  • decantverb
  • lean towardverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word