renovar
/renoˈbaɾ/
The English phrase "renew" translates to Spanish as renovar. Wiktionary also lists reanudar.
Meaning: to make new again (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| renovar | /renoˈbaɾ/ |
| reanudar | /reanuˈdaɾ/ |
renovar is used when you want to replace, update or make something new again, such as a contract or a passport. If you wish to express the idea of revitalizing something, you might use revitalizar or if you mean to revive something, you can use reavivar.
Which one should you use?
While both words involve a sense of continuation, use reanudar when you mean to resume an activity that was interrupted. Use renovar when the goal is to make something new again.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun form of renovar is renovación, which means "renewal".
How do you pronounce it?
/renoˈbaɾ/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word reanudar literally means 'to re-tie', as it is composed of the prefix 're-' and the verb anudar, which means 'to tie a knot'.
- In Spanish, when people talk about 'renewing' their energy or spirit, they often use the word recargar, which literally means 'to recharge' like a battery.
- The verb renovar is frequently used in Spanish interior design to mean 'redecorating' or 'refreshing' a room without necessarily replacing everything.
Examples in context
- Necesita renovar su pasaporte.She needs to renew her passport.This sentence shows how to use renovar with a passport.Tatoeba #9453366 by eltacodemex, translation #7390123 by CH
- Tom necesita renovar su pasaporte antes del quince del próximo mes.Tom needs to renew his passport before the fifteenth of next month.This sentence provides a specific timeline for using renovar with a passport.Tatoeba #2036568 by marcelostockle, translation #1024400 by CK
- Lo felicito a él y al gobernador Palin por todo lo que han logrado, y ansío a trabajar con ellos para renovar la promesa de esta nación en los meses venideros.I congratulate him and Governor Palin for all they have achieved, and I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead.This sentence uses renovar in a more metaphorical sense regarding a promise.Tatoeba #1241360 by marcelostockle, translation #330408 by sugisaki
- Es necesario renovar el contrato anual.It is necessary to renew the annual contract.
- Deberá renovar su pasaporte antes de que caduque.You will need to renew your passport before it expires.
- Esta experiencia me ayudó a renovarme.This experience helped me to renew myself.
- Después de un breve descanso, decidí reemprender mis estudios.After a short break, I decided to renew my studies.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are talking about their apartment lease.
- LucíaDaniel, ¿vamos a renovar el contrato de alquiler?Daniel, are we going to renew the rental contract?
- DanielSí, me gustaría renovar por un año más.Yes, I would like to renew for one more year.
- LucíaPerfecto, yo llamaré al dueño hoy mismo.Perfect, I will call the landlord this very day.
- DanielGracias, Lucía, eso sería genial.Thanks, Lucía, that would be great.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “renew” translations and entries renovar, reanudar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries reanudar, renovar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
