Spanish Conversation · Level 50
75 words
Spanish word
despedir
Pronunciation
IPA/despeˈðiɾ/
Meaning
- verbsay goodbye to
Example
Antes de viajar, se despidió de toda su familia.
Before he traveled, he said goodbye to his entire family.
More examples
La empresa despidió a tres empleados por recortes.
The company fired three employees because of cutbacks.
Core concept
A person embracing another at a doorway as a car pulls away.
Common phrases
despedirse de alguien
say goodbye to someone
despedir a alguien
fire someone
Similar words
despedirse: Exchange farewells with someone and then part ways.
irse: Leave a place to go to another location.
marcharse: Depart from a place and go away from the current spot.
partir: Depart or set off for a trip, journey, or appointment.
Definition in Spanish
Realizar actos o decir palabras para despedir a alguien al partir; también emplearse para indicar que alguien es cesado de su puesto.
Word origin
Built from the prefix des- meaning 'away' attached to a verb meaning 'to send', producing 'send away' and thus both 'see off' intransitively and 'dismiss' transitively.
Usage tips
- Despedirse normally takes de plus the person or place being left (despedirse de alguien), whereas despedir without the reflexive pronoun usually refers to dismissing or firing someone.