Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| dispensar | /dispenˈsaɾ/ |
| renunciar a | /renunθjaɾ a/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /renunsjaɾ a/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
| no aplicar | /no aplikaɾ/ (from spelling rules) |
| no exigir | /no eɡsixiɾ/ (from spelling rules) |
| prescindir de | /pɾesθindiɾ de/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /pɾessindiɾ de/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
| exonerar de | /eɡsoneɾaɾ de/ (from spelling rules) |
Spanish uses different verbs to express the idea of waiving based on what is being given up. You can use dispensar to mean exempting someone, renunciar a to express the formal renouncing of a right, no exigir to describe not demanding a fee or penalty in practical contexts or prescindir de to say you are deciding something is no longer necessary.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on the focus of the action. Use dispensar when the focus is on exempting someone from a rule or requirement. Use renunciar a when the person themselves is giving up a right. If 'waiving' means deciding that a certain thing or person is no longer necessary, use prescindir de. Finally, if you are waiving a fee or a penalty in a non-legalistic, practical way, use no exigir.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the verb renunciar to mean 'to waive' a right or claim, it must be followed by the preposition a.
How do you pronounce it?
/dispenˈsaɾ/
Did you know?
- In legal contexts, Spanish often uses exonerar to waive a burden or liability, which specifically implies removing a weight or obligation from someone.
- Depending on the country, using prescindir de to waive a requirement can sound much more formal or cold than using no exigir.
- The Spanish word dispensar shares the same root as the English word 'dispense' and comes from the Latin word for weighing things out on a scale.
Examples in context
- Para renunciar a tus derechos de autor, debes firmar este documento.To waive your copyright, you must sign this document.
- El empleado decidió desistir de su reclamación y, por ende, renunciar a cualquier compensación.The employee decided to waive his claim, thus giving up any compensation.
- Decidimos dejar de lado nuestras diferencias y seguir adelante.We decided to waive our differences and move forward.
- La empresa va a dispensar el requisito de experiencia.The company is going to waive the experience requirement.
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are discussing a contract at an office.
- MaríaPodemos dispensar la cláusula de penalización, Alejandro.We can waive the penalty clause, Alejandro.
- AlejandroEso sería genial para cerrar el acuerdo hoy.That would be great to close the deal today.
- MaríaLo haré si firmas el contrato ahora mismo.I will do it if you sign the contract right now.
- AlejandroDe acuerdo, María, firmaré los documentos ahora.Alright, María, I will sign the documents now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “waive” translations and entries dispensar, 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 a, aplicar, dispensar, exigir, no, renunciar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
