Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| renunciar | /renunˈθjaɾ/ /renunˈsjaɾ/ |
| dimitir | /dimiˈtiɾ/ |
Both words are used to express the act of quitting a job or a position. Renunciar is the more common, everyday way to express quitting a job or a position in most Spanish-speaking contexts. It is also a broader term that can mean to renounce a right, a belief or a claim.
Which one should you use?
While renunciar is a broad term for resigning or renouncing something, dimitir is more specific to the act of stepping down from an official position, office or high-ranking role.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Dimitir is a formal synonym for resign and is frequently used in news reports or political contexts regarding officials stepping down.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using renunciar to mean resigning from a position or a right, it is often followed by the preposition a.
How do you pronounce it?
/renunˈθjaɾ/
Did you know?
- While dimitir is used for officials stepping down, it is far more common in Spain than in Latin American countries, where renunciar dominates almost every context.
- In a political context, a leader might dimitir as a gesture of responsibility, but if they are forced out by a vote, the terminology often shifts to 'destituir'.
- The verb dimitir comes from the Latin 'dimittere', which originally meant 'to send away' or 'to dismiss'.
Examples in context
- ¡No voy a renunciar!I will not resign!This sentence uses renunciar to express a refusal to quit.Tatoeba #12021710 by emma_zunz, translation #12019918 by Adelpa
- Le forzaron a dimitir.They forced him to resign.This sentence uses dimitir to describe someone being forced to step down.Tatoeba #5197993 by Elyte, translation #5197982 by Elyte
- La obligaron a dimitir.She was forced to resign.This sentence uses dimitir to describe a woman being forced to step down.Tatoeba #1778457 by Shishir, translation #1777429 by Spamster
- Después de mucha reflexión, decidí renunciar a mi puesto de trabajo.After much reflection, I decided to resign from my job.
- El alcalde decidió dimitir debido a las acusaciones de corrupción.The mayor decided to resign due to corruption allegations.
- Creo que voy a dejar mi trabajo actual y buscar nuevas oportunidades.I think I'm going to resign from my current job and look for new opportunities.
- 23 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena tells Mateo about her decision regarding her job.
- ElenaMateo, decidí renunciar a mi puesto.Mateo, I decided to resign from my position.
- Mateo¡Qué sorpresa! ¿Por qué quieres renunciar?What a surprise! Why do you want to resign?
- ElenaNecesito más tiempo para mi familia.I need more time for my family.
- MateoEntiendo, Elena. Te deseo mucha suerte.I understand, Elena. I wish you a lot of luck.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “resign” translations and entries renunciar, dimitir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dimitir, renunciar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
