desinstalar
/desinstaˈlaɾ/
The English phrase "uninstall" is translated into Spanish as desinstalar.
The verb is used to describe the act of completely removing hardware or software.
Meaning: completely remove hardware or software (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The word uses the prefix des-, which functions as a reversal prefix equivalent to the English "un-" or "de-" in "uninstall".
How does it change in a sentence?
To describe software that has been uninstalled, use the past participle desinstalado. In the formal plural context, such as the request "Por favor, desinstalen el programa", the form desinstalen is used.
How do you pronounce it?
/desinstaˈlaɾ/
Did you know?
- Unlike English, where 'uninstall' is primarily a technical term, the base verb instalar can describe the act of establishing a colonial settlement.
- While desinstalar refers to software, Spanish speakers often use quitar (to take away) in casual conversation to mean removing an app from a phone.
- The word desinstalar is a 'calque', a loan translation where Spanish mirrored the English structure 'un-' + 'install' to create a modern technical term.
Examples in context
- Por favor, desinstale el programa antes de continuar.Please uninstall the program before proceeding.
- Le pido que elimine la aplicación de su dispositivo.I ask that you uninstall the application from your device.
- ¿Podrías borrar la aplicación de tu teléfono?Could you uninstall the app from your phone?
- Quita esa extensión de tu navegador, por favor.Remove that extension from your browser, please.
- Tienes que desinstalar el programa para liberar espacio.You have to uninstall the program to free up space.
- Necesito desinstalar este programa de mi computadora.I need to uninstall this program from my computer.
- ¿Cómo puedo desinstalar la aplicación rápidamente?How can I uninstall the application quickly?
- Debes desinstalar el software para liberar espacio.You must uninstall the software to free up space.
Example conversation
María is helping Mateo with his computer.
- MaríaMateo, tu computadora está muy lenta.Mateo, your computer is very slow.
- MateoSí, creo que tengo demasiadas aplicaciones.Yes, I think I have too many applications.
- MaríaDebes desinstalar las que no usas.You should uninstall the ones you don't use.
- MateoTienes razón, lo haré ahora mismo.You are right, I will do it right now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “uninstall” translations and entries desinstalar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
