disolver
/disolˈbeɾ/
The Spanish word for dissolve is disolver. Wiktionary also lists desleír.
Meaning: transitive: to disintegrate into a solution by immersion (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| disolver | /disolˈbeɾ/ |
| desleír | /desleˈiɾ/ |
The verb is transitive and refers to the action of a substance disintegrating into a solution through immersion.
Which one should you use?
While disolver is the general term for dissolving, desleír is a more specific, often more literary or technical term used for the process of a solid dissolving in a liquid.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some parts of Latin America, desleír might be used instead of disolver.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The third-person singular present indicative of disolver is disuelve, and the third-person singular preterite indicative is disolvió.
How do you pronounce it?
/disolˈbeɾ/
Did you know?
- The word desleír shares a linguistic root with the English word 'delete'. Both originate from the Latin dēlēre, which means 'to destroy'.
- While disolver deals with physical substances, the phrase disolver un problema is often used metaphorically in Spanish to mean 'to resolve' or 'to settle' a conflict.
- The verb disolver is the standard term used in Spanish to describe the process of a 'dissolving' effect in film and video editing transitions.
Examples in context
- El ácido puede disolver la mayoría del material biológico.The acid can dissolve most biological material.The first sentence shows how to use disolver regarding acid and biological material.Tatoeba #13028687 by Eremon, translation #11786026 by Amastan
- Este volumen de etanol no puede disolver completamente 0,5 g del sólido blanco.This volume of ethanol cannot completely dissolve 0.5 g of the white solid.The second sentence uses disolver to describe the inability of ethanol to dissolve a solid.Tatoeba #2926607 by betigre, translation #2800127 by mervert1
- Es importante disolver la sal en el agua antes de añadir otros ingredientes.It is important to dissolve the salt in the water before adding other ingredients.
- Échale azúcar al café y revuelve hasta que se disuelva por completo.Add sugar to the coffee and stir until it dissolves completely.
- Vas a necesitar disolver la levadura en agua tibia antes de añadirla a la masa.You'll need to dissolve the yeast in warm water before adding it to the dough.
- Debes disolver el azúcar en el café caliente.You should dissolve the sugar in the hot coffee.
Example conversation
María and Daniel are preparing a drink in the kitchen.
- MaríaDaniel, ¿cómo se prepara este polvo?Daniel, how do you prepare this powder?
- DanielSolo tienes que disolver el contenido en leche.You just have to dissolve the contents in milk.
- María¿Necesito usar una cuchara?Do I need to use a spoon?
- DanielSí, para que se disuelva más rápido.Yes, so that it dissolves faster.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dissolve” translations and entries disolver, desleír, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries desleír, disolver, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
