Spanish Conversation · Level 90
60 words
Spanish word
distanciar
Pronunciation
IPA/distanˈθjaɾ/
Meaning
- verbput some distance between
Example
Debes distanciar tu vida personal del trabajo.
You should put some distance between your personal life and work.
More examples
Para aclarar sus ideas, decidió distanciarse de las redes sociales.
To clarify her thoughts, she decided to distance herself from social media.
Core concept
A growing physical or emotional gap.
Common phrases
distanciarse de alguien
distance oneself from someone
distanciar a alguien
distance someone
distanciar algo de algo
distance something from something
Similar words
alejarse: Steps back physically or emotionally from others or from a location.
mantener: Keeps a set distance or condition unchanged, preserving the current separation.
rehuir: Shuns a person by staying away and not engaging with them.
Definition in Spanish
Separar algo o a alguien para crear o aumentar la distancia física o emocional entre ellos.
Word origin
Derived from Spanish distancia, from Latin distantia (dis- 'apart' + stare 'to stand'), with -ar turning the noun into the action 'to put some distance between'.
Usage tips
- A frequent ambiguity is who initiates the separation, so Spanish often uses distanciar a alguien or the reflexive distanciarse to make the agent clear.