retirar
/retiˈɾaɾ/
To withdraw in Spanish is retirar.
The verb retirar is used to mean extracting money from a bank account or other financial deposit. In a banking context, it is typically used with a direct object such as el dinero (the money) or fondos (funds).
Meaning: to extract (money) from a bank account or other financial deposit (verb)
Which one should you use?
While retirar is the standard term for withdrawing money from a bank, the phrase sacar dinero is a very common and more colloquial way to say 'to take out money'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, people tend to use retirar more frequently than sacar when referring to withdrawing money.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to use the verb to mean a person is withdrawing themselves from a place or a situation, you must use the reflexive form retirarse.
How do you pronounce it?
/retiˈɾaɾ/
Did you know?
- While retirar is used for banking, the root verb tirar most commonly means 'to throw' or 'to pull'.
- In some Latin American contexts, if you say you are going to retirar something, it can also mean you are going to pick up a package or an order, similar to 'collecting' it.
- Using the reflexive form retirarse can describe not just leaving a room, but also the act of retiring from a professional career.
Examples in context
- El tuvo que retirarse.He had to withdraw.This sentence shows the use of the reflexive form retirar to mean a person withdrawing themselves.Tatoeba #5454187 by albrusgher, translation #1677493 by CM
- Ellos fueron forzados a retirarse.They were forced to withdraw.This sentence shows the use of the reflexive form retirar to mean people withdrawing themselves.Tatoeba #1387760 by marcelostockle, translation #802207 by Source_VOA
- Voy a retirar algún dinero realmente rápido.I'm gonna withdraw some money real quick.This sentence shows how to use retirar when withdrawing money.Tatoeba #5454211 by albrusgher, translation #4924760 by gustonrankin
- Por favor, ¿dónde puedo retirar dinero?Please, where can I withdraw money?
- Decidí retirar mi candidatura a la presidenciaI decided to withdraw my candidacy for presidency
- Voy a extraer 200 euros del cajero automáticoI'm going to withdraw 200 euros from the ATM
- ¡Vamos a sacar dinero y luego podemos ir al cine!Let's withdraw some money and then we can go to the movies!
- Voy a tomar algo de plata del bancoI'm going to withdraw some money from the bank
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are at a shopping mall.
- AlejandroNecesito retirar dinero del cajero.I need to withdraw money from the ATM.
- María¿Quieres que te ayude, Alejandro?Do you want me to help you, Alejandro?
- AlejandroNo, gracias, puedo retirar el efectivo solo.No, thanks, I can withdraw the cash by myself.
- MaríaEstá bien, te espero aquí.Alright, I will wait for you here.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry retirar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
