How to Say “Jubilarse”: A Comprehensive Guide

Greeting! Are you interested in expanding your Spanish vocabulary by learning how to say “jubilarse”? Great! In this guide, we’ll explore different ways to express the concept of retirement, both formally and informally. So, let’s dive right in!

Formal Expressions for Retirement

When it comes to formal situations, it’s important to use appropriate language to convey the concept of retirement. Here are some phrases commonly used in formal contexts:

1. “Jubilarse”: This is the most straightforward and formal way to say “to retire” in Spanish. It is widely understood across different Spanish-speaking countries. For example, “Mi abuelo se jubiló el pasado año” (My grandfather retired last year).
2. “Retirarse”: This word is also commonly used and carries a formal tone. You can use it interchangeably with “jubilarse.” For instance, “Mi jefe se retirará después de muchas décadas de trabajo” (My boss will retire after many decades of work).
3. “Dejar de trabajar”: This phrase literally means “to stop working” and is another formal way to express retirement. It emphasizes the cessation of work. For example, “Mi padre dejó de trabajar cuando cumplió los 65 años” (My father stopped working when he turned 65).

Informal Expressions for Retirement

Informal contexts often call for a more relaxed and colloquial language. Here are some informal ways to talk about retirement:

1. “Colgar los guantes”: This expression, which translates to “hang up the gloves,” is a metaphorical way to say “to retire” and is commonly used in conversations. It originates from boxing, symbolizing the end of a career. For example, “Después de tanto tiempo trabajando, por fin va a colgar los guantes” (After so much time working, he will finally retire).
2. “Meterse en camisa de once varas”: While not directly related to retirement, this idiom means “getting out of a tricky situation” or “calling it quits.” In some informal contexts, it can be used to express retirement indirectly. For example, “Mi tío decidió meterse en camisa de once varas y disfrutar de la vida” (My uncle decided to call it quits and enjoy life).
3. “Darle puerta al trabajo”: This informal phrase translates to “giving the door to work” and conveys the act of retiring. It’s similar to saying “calling it a day” in English. For instance, “Mi vecino decidió darle puerta al trabajo y ahora disfruta de su tiempo libre” (My neighbor decided to retire and now enjoys his free time).

Regional Variations

While the expressions mentioned above are widely understood across the Spanish-speaking world, it’s worth noting that there might be regional variations in certain countries or areas. Here is an example of a regional variation:

In Mexico, it is common to use the phrase “echarse a descansar” to mean “to retire.” For instance, “Mi madre se echó a descansar después de tanto esfuerzo” (My mother retired after so much effort).

Remember to adjust your choice of words based on your specific context, keeping regional variations in mind if necessary.

Tips and Examples

Now that you have an understanding of both formal and informal expressions for retirement in Spanish, let’s provide you with some useful tips and additional examples:

• Tip 1: When expressing retirement, it’s common to include the verb “ser” or “estar” (to be) and the preposition “de” (of). For example, “Estoy jubilado” (I am retired).
• Tip 2: Pay attention to the gender and number agreement between the subject and the verb. For instance, “Mi hermana se jubilará pronto” (My sister will retire soon).
• Tip 3: Consider using additional descriptive words to convey the person’s career or length of service. For example, “Nuestro profesor se jubiló después de ser docente durante 40 años” (Our teacher retired after being a teacher for 40 years).

Here are a few more examples showcasing the formal and informal expressions of retirement:

Formal:

• “Después de una larga trayectoria, el presidente se jubiló.”
• “Nuestra vecina decidió retirarse y disfrutar de su tiempo libre.”

Informal:

• “Mi abuelo colgó los guantes y ahora vive tranquilamente.”
• “Cuando llegue el momento, daré puerta al trabajo y disfrutaré de la vida.”

In Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve made it to the end of our comprehensive guide on how to say “jubilarse” in Spanish. We covered both formal and informal expressions, providing you with useful tips and examples along the way. Remember to choose the appropriate words based on the context and adjust for regional variations if necessary. Now you have the tools to confidently talk about retirement in Spanish. ¡Buena suerte!