desvestir
/desbesˈtiɾ/
The English phrase 'strip' (to take off clothing) is translated into Spanish as desvestir. Wiktionary also lists sacarse la ropa.
Meaning: to take off clothing (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| desvestir | /desbesˈtiɾ/ |
| sacarse la ropa | /sakaɾse la ɾopa/ (from spelling rules) |
The verb is used when referring to the act of taking off clothing. Related noun forms include franja, tira and lista for a long, thin piece of land or material, as well as tira when referring specifically to a comic strip.
Which one should you use?
sacarse la ropa is the most natural way to express the reflexive action of a person stripping off their own clothing.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To use desvestir as a reflexive action to mean undressing oneself, you must use the reflexive form desvestirse.
How do you pronounce it?
/desbesˈtiɾ/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word for 'clothes', ropa, actually shares a common ancestor with the Gothic word for 'to rob' or 'to plunder'.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, the word ropa is used in the phrase ropa blanca to refer specifically to bed linens and towels, even if they are not white.
- While desvestir means to undress, the related verb vestir can also describe a person's fashion sense or how a piece of furniture 'fits' a room.
Examples in context
- Por favor, retire la tira de protección antes de usarlo.Please remove the protective strip before using it.
- El médico le quitó la tira adhesiva con cuidado.The doctor removed the adhesive strip carefully.
- Necesito una tira más larga para terminar el trabajo.I need a longer strip to finish the job.
- Necesito una venda adhesiva para cubrir la herida.I need an adhesive strip to cover the wound.
- Mi hermano se lastimó, ¿puedes traerme algo de esparadrapo?My brother got injured, can you bring me some adhesive strip?
- Es difícil desvestir al bebé.It is difficult to undress the baby.
- Ella ayuda a desvestir al paciente.She helps undress the patient.
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are preparing for a swimming trip.
- JavierLucía, ¿ya te vas a desvestir?Lucía, are you going to strip already?
- LucíaSí, voy a ponerme el traje de baño.Yes, I'm going to put on my swimsuit.
- JavierEstá bien, yo esperaré afuera.All right, I will wait outside.
- LucíaGracias, Javier. Estaré lista en un minuto.Thanks, Javier. I'll be ready in a minute.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “strip” translations and entries desvestir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries desvestir, la, ropa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
