despedir
/despeˈdiɾ/
To lay off in Spanish is to say despedir. Wiktionary also lists destituir.
Meaning: to dismiss workers from employment (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| despedir | /despeˈdiɾ/ |
| destituir | /destiˈtwiɾ/ |
The phrase is used when an employer dismisses workers from their employment.
Which one should you use?
While despedir is used for general layoffs or firing employees, destituir is specifically used for removing someone from a high-ranking position or official post.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, liquidar is commonly used to refer to laying off an employee. In Spain, the phrase echar a alguien is commonly used informally to mean lay off.
How does it change in a sentence?
When the object of the verb despedir is a person, you must use the personal a before the person. The noun form of the verb despedir is despido.
How do you pronounce it?
/despeˈdiɾ/
Did you know?
- The verb despedir can also be used in the context of fireworks, where it refers to the act of launching or setting off a rocket.
- The word despedir is also used to say 'goodbye' in certain formal contexts, as it shares a root with the act of seeing someone off.
- The word despedir shares a root with the English word 'petition' through the Latin 'petere', meaning 'to seek' or 'to request'.
Examples in context
- La empresa se vio obligada a despedir a muchos empleados.The company was forced to lay off many employees.This sentence is useful for practicing how to use despedir regarding a company's actions.Tatoeba #5010003 by albrusgher, translation #49055 by CS
- El mes pasado, tuvieron que despedir a varios cientos de empleados en la fábrica.Last month, they had to lay off several hundred employees in the factory.This sentence shows how to use despedir when discussing a specific number of employees in a factory.Tatoeba #5034027 by albrusgher, translation #272683 by CM
- La compañía tuvo que despedir a varios empleados debido a la crisis financiera.The company had to lay off several employees due to the financial crisis.
- La empresa prescindió de los servicios del trabajador debido a su bajo rendimiento.The company laid off the employee due to their poor performance.
- Finalmente, el jefe decidió echarme porque ya no había suficiente trabajo.Finally, the boss decided to lay me off because there wasn't enough work.
- No pueden despedir a todo el equipo de repente.They cannot lay off the whole team suddenly.
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are discussing news about their company at a cafe.
- Daniel¿Has oído que van a despedir a más gente?Have you heard they are going to lay off more people?
- ElenaSí, es una noticia terrible para todos.Yes, it is terrible news for everyone.
- DanielEspero que no tengan que despedir a nadie de mi departamento.I hope they don't have to lay off anyone from my department.
- ElenaOjalá que tu sector esté a salvo, Daniel.I hope your sector is safe, Daniel.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lay off” translations and entries despedir, destituir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries despedir, destituir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
