despejar
/despeˈxaɾ/
To declutter in Spanish is despejar.
Despejar is used when the goal is to clear an area of physical obstacles or clutter to create open space.
Meaning: Translations (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is formed using the prefix des-, which functions as a reversal or negation, similar to the English prefixes 'un-' or 'dis-'.
Which one should you use?
While despejar is used to clear or declutter a space, the verb desordenar means the opposite: to create disorder or to clutter a space.
How does it change in a sentence?
The past participle despejado can be used as an adjective to describe a space that has been decluttered or cleared.
How do you pronounce it?
/despeˈxaɾ/
Did you know?
- The word despejar shares a hidden history with the human foot. It stems from the Latin 'pes', meaning 'foot', and originally referred to freeing or unbinding an animal's feet.
- In a mathematical context, despejar is the specific verb used when you isolate a variable in an equation.
- In sports like football, despejar refers to the act of clearing the ball away from the goal area to remove the threat of an opponent.
Examples in context
- He estado organizando y limpiando mi casa para eliminar el desorden.I have been decluttering my house by organizing and cleaning.
- Necesito despejar mi habitación y quitar el desorden acumulado.I need to declutter my room and clear the accumulated clutter.
- Con el objetivo de eliminar el desorden, voy a categorizar mis pertenencias.With the goal of decluttering, I'm going to categorize my belongings.
- Necesito despejar mi escritorio.I need to declutter my desk.
- Vamos a despejar el armario este fin de semana.Let's declutter the closet this weekend.
- Es bueno despejar la mente de vez en cuando.It is good to declutter your mind from time to time.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are discussing organizing their living room.
- AlejandroTenemos que despejar la sala de tantos papeles.We have to declutter the living room from so many papers.
- LucíaTienes razón, Alejandro, está muy desordenada.You are right, Alejandro, it is very messy.
- Alejandro¿Me ayudas a despejar las estanterías?Will you help me declutter the shelves?
- LucíaSí, yo te ayudo con eso.Yes, I will help you with that.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry despejar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries despejar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
