Spanish Conversation · Level 68
58 words
Spanish word
dispensar
Pronunciation
IPA/dispenˈsaɾ/
Meaning
- verbexcuse
Example
El profesor dispensó al estudiante de la tarea.
The teacher excused the student from the homework.
More examples
El director dispensó al alumno del examen por motivos médicos.
The principal exempted the student from the exam for medical reasons.
Core concept
Hands removing a heavy pack from someone's back.
Common phrases
dispensar a un alumno de la clase
exempt a student from class
dispensar a alguien de cumplir una obligación
exempt someone from fulfilling an obligation
Similar words
disculpar: Accepts an explanation and refrains from blaming someone for a fault.
excusar: Excuses someone from attendance or a duty because of a justified circumstance.
perdonar: Forgives a wrongdoing, removing blame and foregoing punishment or pursuit.
liberar: Frees someone or something from physical restraint, confinement, or burden.
Definition in Spanish
Quitar a alguien una carga u obligación; también entregar o proporcionar bienes o medicinas.
Word origin
From Latin dispensare meaning 'to distribute or administer', with the administrative idea leading both to giving out items and to relieving someone of a duty or burden.
Usage tips
- Dispensar often denotes formal exemption (for example in institutional or rule-based contexts) and contrasts with disculpar, which concerns pardoning a fault or apologizing.
Other meanings
- forgiveverb
- dispenseverb
Opposites
- obligarobligeverb
- coaccionarcoerceverb
Related words
- dispensabledispensableadjective
- dispensadordispensernoun