desbloquear
/desblokeˈaɾ/
To unlock in Spanish is desbloquear for phones and devices, while doors are opened with abrir. If unsure, use desbloquear. Wiktionary also lists abrir con llave and desatrancar.
Meaning: to undo or open a lock (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| desbloquear | /desblokeˈaɾ/ |
| abrir | /aˈbɾiɾ/ |
| abrir con llave | /abɾiɾ kon ʝabe/ (from spelling rules) |
| desatrancar | /desatɾanˈkaɾ/ |
| descandar | /deskandaɾ/ (from spelling rules) |
| desacerrojar | /desaθeroxaɾ/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /desaseroxaɾ/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
| desapestillar | /desapestiʝaɾ/ (from spelling rules) |
| desenllavar | /desenʝabaɾ/ (from spelling rules) |
| desllavear | /desʝabeaɾ/ (from spelling rules) |
| desllavir | /desʝabiɾ/ (from spelling rules) |
desbloquear is the verb for unlocking a smartphone, a computer or a digital feature. desbloquear la pantalla is the standard way to say unlock the screen.
Which one should you use?
For a door or lock, Spanish simply says abrir. abrir con llave stresses that a key is used. desacerrojar is for drawing back a heavy bolt on a door or gate. Quitar el candado means to take off a padlock.
How does it change in a sentence?
The past participle desbloqueado describes a device or feature that is unlocked.
How do you pronounce it?
The IPA is /desblokeˈaɾ/.
Did you know?
- The word abrir, used to unlock a door, comes from the Latin word aperīre, making it a distant relative of the rare English word 'apricate', which means to bask in the sun.
- While llave is the common word for a physical key, Spanish also has the word clave, which shares the same Latin origin but is used for a code or a musical key.
- In some contexts, desbloquear is used not just for devices, but to describe removing a mental or emotional block that prevents someone from progressing.
Examples in context
- Deme una llave y abriré el universo.Give me a key, and I will unlock the universe.abriré means I will open, used here for unlocking the universe.Tatoeba #870438 by ildefonk, translation #470624 by FeuDRenais
- Dame las llaves para que pueda abrir la puerta.Give me the keys so I can unlock the door.abrir la puerta is the natural way to say unlock the door.Tatoeba #1265065 by hayastan, translation #1286434 by CK
- Abro la cerradura.I unlock the lock.Abro means I open, said of a lock.
- Por favor, abra el archivo con la contraseña.Please unlock the file with the password.
- ¿Podría desbloquear la puerta, por favor?Could you unlock the door, please?
- ¡Abre tu teléfono para ver las fotos!Unlock your phone to see the pictures!
- ¿Puedes desbloquear la computadora para que veamos ese video?Can you unlock the computer so we can watch that video?
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are standing in front of their apartment door.
- DanielLucía, no puedo desbloquear la puerta.Lucía, I cannot unlock the door.
- LucíaDéjame ver, Daniel.Let me see, Daniel.
- LucíaTienes que desbloquear el panel primero.You have to unlock the panel first.
- DanielAh, ya está desbloqueado.Ah, it is unlocked now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “unlock” translations and entries desbloquear, abrir, desatrancar, 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 abrir, con, desatrancar, desbloquear, llave, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
