repudiar
/repuˈdjaɾ/
The English verb "disown" can be translated into Spanish as repudiar. Wiktionary also lists renegar and desafijar (disused).
Meaning: to refuse to own (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| repudiar | /repuˈdjaɾ/ |
| renegar | /reneˈɡaɾ/ |
| desafijar (disused) |
The term is used to describe the act of refusing to own.
Which one should you use?
While renegar and repudiar are both used for disowning, repudiar is the most appropriate term for the formal or legal act of disowning someone, such as a child or a relative. The form desafijar is considered disused.
How does it change in a sentence?
Repudiar is a regular -ar verb. For example, the third-person singular past tense form is repudió.
How do you pronounce it?
/repuˈdjaɾ/
Did you know?
- While repudiar is often used for legal disownment, in many Spanish-speaking cultures, the verb renegar can also mean to complain or grumble about something incessantly.
- While repudiar means to disown, the noun repudio was historically used in some Spanish-speaking regions to refer to a specific type of unilateral divorce.
- The disused form desafijar shares a root with 'fijar', meaning to fix or fasten, suggesting a literal 'un-fastening' of a relationship.
Examples in context
- La familia repudió al hermano menor por sus acciones inaceptables.The family disowned the younger brother due to his unacceptable actions.
- Decidí cortar lazos con mi mejor amigo después de su traición.I decided to disown my best friend after his betrayal.
- Le di la espalda a mi hermana cuando me traicionó.I turned my back on my sister when she betrayed me.
- Decidió desligarse de su familia debido a sus constantes desacuerdos.He decided to disown his family due to their constant disagreements.
- Él decidió repudiar a su hijo.He decided to disown his son.
- Él decidió repudiar sus creencias antiguas.He decided to disown his old beliefs.
- La familia decidió repudiar al heredero.The family decided to disown the heir.
- No puedes repudiar tus orígenes así.You cannot disown your origins like that.
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are discussing a family conflict.
- LucíaMateo, ¿es verdad que tu padre te quiere repudiar?Mateo, is it true that your father wants to disown you?
- MateoSí, porque no estoy de acuerdo con él.Yes, because I don't agree with him.
- LucíaEs muy triste que llegue a repudiar a su hijo.It is very sad that he would go as far as to disown his son.
- MateoLo sé, pero yo también debo ser fiel a mí mismo.I know, but I must also be true to myself.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “disown” translations and entries repudiar, renegar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
