borrar historial
/boraɾ istoɾjal/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'clear history' is translated into Spanish as borrar historial.
This phrase is used to describe the action of deleting the record of websites visited in a web browser. In many Spanish-language browser settings, you may see this expressed more broadly as borrar datos de navegación, which means 'to clear browsing data'.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb borrar (to erase/delete) and the noun historial (history/record).
Which one should you use?
While borrar historial is a common way to express the idea, limpiar el historial is a frequent synonym where the verb limpiar (to clean) is used instead of borrar. For a more specific phrasing, eliminar el historial de navegación can be used to mean 'to clear the browsing history'.
How does it change in a sentence?
In a complete sentence, it is common to include the definite article el between the verb and the noun, resulting in borrar el historial.
How do you pronounce it?
/boraɾ istoɾjal/
Did you know?
- The word borrar is etymologically linked to 'rough wool' or 'lint', suggesting the original action was to rub something away with a coarse material.
- If you want to be incredibly thorough when clearing your digital footprint, you might use the phrase limpiar huellas, which literally means 'to clean footprints'.
- In some Latin American contexts, a person might colloquially ask you to borrar rastro instead of borrar historial, which translates to 'to erase the trail'.
Examples in context
- Me podría decir cómo borrar el historial en este ordenador, por favor?Could you tell me how to clear history on this computer, please?
- Recuerde eliminar el historial de navegación después de cada sesión.Remember to clear the browsing history after each session.
- ¡Oye, no olvides borrar el historial de navegación en tu móvil!Hey, don't forget to clear your browsing history on your phone!
- Después de buscar esos regalos sorpresa, deberías limpiar el historial.After searching for those surprise gifts, you should clear the history.
Example conversation
Alejandro is helping María with her computer.
- AlejandroMaría, ¿quieres borrar historial ahora?María, do you want to clear history now?
- MaríaSí, por favor, ayúdame a hacerlo.Yes, please, help me do it.
- AlejandroSolo tienes que hacer clic aquí para borrar historial.You just have to click here to clear history.
- María¡Gracias, Alejandro! Ya está listo.Thanks, Alejandro! It is done now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries borrar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
