You're standing in a crowded doorway in Madrid, or maybe you're just trying to tell your stubborn dog to move off the couch in Mexico City. You need to know how do you say get out in Spanish, but here is the thing: there isn't just one way. If you use the wrong word, you might accidentally sound like a villain in a soap opera when you just wanted to ask someone to step aside.
Languages are messy. Spanish is especially messy because it’s spoken in over twenty countries, each with its own flavor of slang and social etiquette. If you scream "¡Fuera!" at a waiter because you’re trying to say "get out of the way," you aren’t being efficient; you’re being a jerk. Context is everything.
The Direct Approach: Salir vs. Fuera
Basically, the most "textbook" way to handle this is the verb salir. It means to leave or to go out. If you want to tell someone to "get out" of a room, you’d technically say "sal de aquí." It’s direct. It’s grammatically correct. It’s also a bit dry.
Then there is "¡Fuera!" This is the "Get out!" you hear in movies. It literally means "Outside!" It’s blunt. It’s what you say when you’re angry. You’d use it for a stray cat in your kitchen or a cheating boyfriend you’re kicking out of the house. Honestly, unless you’re actually kicking someone out of a physical space permanently, it’s probably too harsh for daily use.
Why Context Changes the Grammar
Think about the difference between "Please exit" and "Beat it." In Spanish, that gap is huge. If you are in a car and you want someone to get out, you don't say salir. You say bájate. This comes from the verb bajar, which means "to go down." Since you’re descending from a vehicle, Spanish speakers conceptualize the action differently. Telling someone "sal del coche" sounds a bit like you’re asking them to emerge from the car like it's a cave, whereas "bájate" is the natural, native way to say it.
When You Just Need Some Space
Sometimes you don't want someone to leave the building; you just want them to move two inches to the left. If you ask how do you say get out in Spanish in this context, the answer is usually "permiso" or "con permiso."
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It’s the universal "get out of my way" but polite.
If you’re pushing through a crowd at a concert in Buenos Aires, you say "permiso." You aren’t asking for their life story; you’re just signaling that you are moving through their personal bubble. If you want to be slightly more proactive, you could say "déjame pasar" (let me pass).
The Aggressive "Get Out"
Now, what if someone is being a nuisance? Maybe a street vendor is being too pushy, or someone is following you. You need something stronger than "please leave."
- ¡Vete!: This is "Go away." Simple.
- ¡Lárgate!: This is much stronger. It’s akin to "Get lost" or "Beat it." It’s the kind of thing you say when you’re truly fed up.
- ¡Quítate!: This means "Get out of the way" or "Move yourself." It’s often used by kids or when someone is blocking the TV. It can be rude depending on the tone.
Regional Variations That Might Trip You Up
If you’re in Mexico, you might hear "píntate de colores." Literally, it means "paint yourself in colors," but it’s a colorful way of telling someone to disappear or get out. It’s idiomatic. It’s weird. It’s Spanish.
In Spain, you might hear people use "vete a freír espárragos." Yes, you are literally telling someone to "go fry asparagus." It’s a classic way of saying "get out of here" or "go jump in a lake." Why asparagus? Nobody really knows for sure, though linguists suggest it dates back to the 19th century when frying asparagus was seen as a tedious, useless task that would keep someone busy and away from you for a long time.
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The "Sáquese" Phenomenon
In parts of Colombia or Mexico, you might hear "¡Sáquese!" This is a reflexive form of sacar (to take out). It’s very informal. It’s almost like saying "Remove yourself." It’s short, punchy, and incredibly effective if you want to sound like a local who has no time for nonsense.
Understanding the "Usted" vs. "Tú" Factor
Spanish has a built-in hierarchy. If you’re telling an intruder to get out, you probably aren’t worried about being polite. But if you’re in a professional setting—say, a doctor’s office where you need a family member to step out for a moment—the grammar shifts.
- Tú (Informal): Sal, vete, quítate.
- Usted (Formal): Salga, váyase, quítese.
Using the Usted form of "get out" can actually make the command feel more chillingly serious. It adds a layer of cold distance. If a boss says "Váyase de mi oficina" (Get out of my office) using the formal version, you know you’re probably fired. The formality creates a wall.
Common Misconceptions About "Get Out"
A lot of English speakers try to translate "get out" literally using a dictionary and end up with "obtener fuera." Please, never say this. Obtener means "to obtain" or "to acquire." You aren't acquiring the outside; you're moving your body to it.
Another mistake is using "extinguir" or something equally bizarre because of a false cognate. Stay away from the "auto-translate" in your brain. Focus on the action: are you leaving, moving, or disappearing?
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Real-World Usage: The "Get Out of Here!" (Disbelief)
In English, we say "Get out!" when we’re surprised. Like when a friend tells you they won the lottery. If you say "¡Fuera!" in Spanish in that moment, your friend will just think you’re being mean.
To express disbelief in Spanish, you’d say:
- ¡No fastidies! (Don't mess with me/No way!)
- ¡No me digas! (Don't tell me! / Really?)
- ¡De ninguna manera! (No way!)
Actionable Steps for Using These Phrases
You've got the words, but you need the execution. Don't just memorize a list; understand the "vibe" of the room.
- For Polite Movement: Use "con permiso" when navigating crowds. It’s the safest, most "expert" way to move people out of your path without causing offense.
- For Vehicles: Always use bájate or bájese.
- For Emergency/Anger: Use "¡Vete!" for a general "go away" and save "¡Lárgate!" for when you are genuinely angry.
- For Social Surprises: Stick to "¡No me digas!" instead of trying to translate the English idiom "get out."
Practical Exercise: Next time you’re watching a Spanish-language show on Netflix, pay attention to the argument scenes. You will hear fuera, lárgate, and vete used constantly. Notice how the characters' body language changes with each word. Lárgate usually involves pointing at a door. Quítate usually involves a physical nudge.
Understanding how do you say get out in Spanish is less about vocabulary and more about social awareness. If you’re ever in doubt, a firm but polite "lo siento, necesito pasar" (I’m sorry, I need to get through) will get you much further than a dictionary-perfect command.
Next Steps:
Focus on mastering the imperative mood (commands) in Spanish. Learning the difference between sal (informal) and salga (formal) will give you the flexibility to handle both a rowdy friend and a confusing bureaucratic situation at a customs office. Practice the "Con permiso" phrase until it becomes a reflex; it is the single most useful tool for any traveler or student.