reutilizar
/reutiliˈθaɾ/
To reuse in Spanish is reutilizar.
reutilizar is used when you want to express using something again for a specific purpose. It is related to the noun reúso or reutilizar, which refers to the act of salvaging or restoring a discarded item to yield something usable.
Meaning: to use again (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The verb is composed of the prefix re- (again) and utilizar (to use).
Which one should you use?
While reutilizar specifically means to use something again for a purpose, reciclar refers to the process of breaking down materials to create new products.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the term reaprovechar is commonly used to express the idea of reuse.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
reutilizar is a regular -ar verb in the present indicative tense. Its forms are reutilizo (I reuse), reutilizas (you reuse), reutiliza (he/she reuses), reutilizamos (we reuse), reutilizáis (you all reuse) and reutilizan (they reuse). The past participle is reutilizado.
How do you pronounce it?
/reutiliˈθaɾ/
Did you know?
- If you are talking about reusing food or leftover ingredients, a Spaniard might say aprovechar las sobras instead of using the more clinical-sounding reutilizar.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, reciclar is used colloquially as a general term for any form of reuse, even when no industrial recycling is involved.
- The root of utilizar is connected to the Latin 'utilis', meaning 'useful'. This makes it a direct linguistic cousin to the English word 'utilize', though 'utilize' is often considered more formal or technical than 'use' in English.
Examples in context
- Eso quiere decir que puedes reutilizarlas libremente para un libro de texto, para una aplicación, para un proyecto de investigación, ¡para cualquier cosa!This means you can reuse them freely for a textbook, for an application, for a research project, for anything!This sentence shows how to use reutilizar when talking about using something freely for various purposes.Tatoeba #705753 by Shishir, translation #704164 by jakov
- Es importante reutilizar los materiales para reducir la cantidad de residuos.It's important to reuse materials to reduce waste.
- En lugar de desecharlo, podemos usar este envase nuevamente y así evitar generar más basura.Instead of throwing it away, we can reuse this container and avoid creating more waste.
- Reciclar papel implica tanto el reciclaje como la reutilización del mismo.Recycling paper involves both recycling and reusing it.
- No tires esa bolsa, todavía se puede reusar.Don't throw away that bag, it can still be reused.
- Voy a darle otro uso a estos tarros de vidrio y convertirlos en portavelas.I'm going to repurpose these glass jars and turn them into candle holders.
- Siempre trato de aprovechar nuevamente las cajas de cartón antes de desecharlas.I always try to reuse cardboard boxes before throwing them away.
- Voy a reaprovechar estas ramas de árbol para construir una cerca.I'm going to reuse these tree branches to build a fence.
- Podemos reutilizar estas cajas para la mudanza.We can reuse these boxes for the move.
- Es mejor reutilizar el agua de la lluvia.It is better to reuse rainwater.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are cleaning the kitchen.
- AlejandroSofía, ¿vas a tirar esa caja de cartón?Sofía, are you going to throw away that cardboard box?
- SofíaNo, quiero reutilizarla para guardar mis cables.No, I want to reuse it to store my cables.
- AlejandroEs una idea muy buena.That is a very good idea.
- SofíaSí, así ayudamos al medio ambiente.Yes, that way we help the environment.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry reutilizar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries reutilizar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
