Language isn't a math equation. You can't just swap one word for another and hope for the best, especially when you’re talking about the act of leaving. If you’re trying to master taking off in spanish, you’ve probably realized pretty quickly that "despegar" isn’t always the answer. Honestly, it rarely is unless you’re literally sitting on a runway in a Boeing 737.
Most learners get stuck. They use the same three verbs for everything. But Spanish is moody. It’s specific. It cares if you’re leaving a party early because it’s boring or if you’re launching a brand-new startup in Madrid. If you use the wrong word, you don't just sound like a tourist; you change the entire meaning of what you’re trying to say.
The Literal Flight: Using Despegar Correctly
When we talk about a plane physically leaving the ground, we use despegar. It’s a technical term. It comes from pegar (to stick) and the prefix des- (to unstick). You’re unsticking from the earth.
"El avión acaba de despegar." Simple.
But here is where people trip up: they try to use despegar for their personal lives. Unless you have wings or a jetpack, you aren't "despegando" from your house to go get coffee. It sounds ridiculous. However, there is a figurative sense that actually works. If your business is finally seeing growth after months of stagnation, you can say, "Mi negocio está empezando a despegar." It’s that feeling of gaining momentum, of finally getting some air under your wings.
Spanish speakers love a good metaphor. Just don’t overdo it.
What about the airport?
If you’re at Barajas or El Dorado, you’ll see the word Salidas. That’s "Departures." It’s from the verb salir. You’ll almost never see a sign that says "Despegues" unless it's a very specific flight schedule board. Language is about economy. Salir is the workhorse of the Spanish language. It’s the "to go out" or "to leave" that covers about 70% of your needs.
Taking Off Your Clothes (And Other Objects)
This is a totally different ballgame. You aren't "despegando" your jacket. You are quitándose things.
The verb quitar basically means to remove. But because Spanish is obsessed with reflexive pronouns—those little words like me, te, se—you have to say "quitarse." You are removing it from yourself.
- "Quítate los zapatos." (Take off your shoes.)
- "Me quité la chaqueta porque hacía calor." (I took off my jacket because it was hot.)
If you forget the "se," it sounds like you’re removing an object from a table or taking someone else's stuff. It’s a small detail, but it’s the difference between "I took my hat off" and "I removed the hat (from the world)." Nuance matters.
The Slang Factor: Taking Off Like a Bolt
Sometimes you aren't just leaving. You’re "taking off" because you’re in a hurry or you’re over the current vibe of the room. This is where Spanish gets colorful.
In Spain, you might hear pirarse. It’s very colloquial. "Me piro" is basically saying "I'm out of here" or "I'm ghosting." It’s abrupt. It’s cool. It’s also definitely not something you say to your boss unless you’re planning on quitting right then and there.
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Across the pond in Mexico or Colombia, you might hear arrancar. Literally, this means to start an engine or to pull something out by the roots. But socially? It’s "let's get going."
"¡Arranquemos!"
It’s got energy. It feels like you’re actually putting the car in gear and hitting the gas. Compare that to the standard irse, which is just... leaving. Boring. Functional, but boring.
The "Irse" vs "Ir" Confusion
Listen, this is the mountain most students die on. Ir means to go. Irse means to leave or to "take off."
If you say "Voy a la playa," you’re saying you’re going to the beach.
If you say "Me voy," you’re saying "I’m taking off."
The addition of that tiny reflexive pronoun changes the focus from the destination to the act of departure. It’s the difference between the journey and the exit. If you’re at a party and you want to tell your friends you’re headed out, you don't say "Voy." You say "Me voy." If you say "Voy," they’ll just look at you and ask, "Where?"
Why Your Business Isn’t "Taking Off" in Translation
When we talk about a project or a career taking off in spanish, we often look for words that imply success. We already mentioned despegar, which is great for startups. But there’s also tener éxito or prosperar.
However, if you want to sound like a native, use dar el salto.
It means "to take the leap." It implies that the "taking off" wasn't just luck—it was a definitive move. It’s used often in professional contexts when someone moves from a stable job to their own venture.
"Dio el salto y ahora su empresa es enorme."
It’s evocative. It paints a picture.
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Regional Quirks: How Location Changes the Exit
Language is a map of the people who speak it. If you’re in Argentina, "taking off" might involve the word tomárselas.
"Me las tomo."
It literally means "I take them for myself," but it’s 100% "I'm taking off." It’s idiomatic. It doesn’t make sense if you analyze it word-for-word, but every local knows exactly what you mean. It’s slightly defensive, slightly casual.
Then you have Chile. Oh, Chile. They have a dozen ways to say everything. One common way to say you're taking off or leaving quickly is apretar cueva. It’s very informal. It’s the kind of thing you say when you’re running away from a prank or a bad situation.
The Nuance of "Largar"
In some countries, largarse is a common way to say "get out" or "leave." But be careful. It’s strong. If someone tells you "¡Lárgate!", they aren't asking you to take off nicely. They are telling you to beat it.
Conversely, you can use it yourself to show frustration. "Me largo de aquí" means "I'm getting the hell out of here." It’s expressive. It carries weight. Use it when the waiter brings you the wrong order for the third time, not when you’re saying goodbye to your grandmother.
Common Mistakes Beginners Make
The biggest error is literal translation. English is a "phrasal verb" language. We love adding "off," "up," "down," or "out" to verbs to change them. Spanish doesn't do that.
- English: "Take off" (clothes), "Take off" (airplane), "Take off" (success).
- Spanish: Quitarse, Despegar, Tener éxito.
If you try to find one Spanish word to replace the English "take off," you will fail. You have to think about the action first, then find the verb.
Another mistake? Forgetting the reflexive.
I see it all the time. People say "Voy" when they mean "Me voy." Or "Quito la camisa" when they mean "Me quito la camisa." Without the reflexive, the action is directed elsewhere. You aren't taking your shirt off; you’re just... removing a shirt from existence.
Putting It Into Practice: Real World Scenarios
Let's look at how you'd actually use these in a day.
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Imagine you’re in Mexico City. You wake up, you take off your pajamas (te quitas la pijama). You check your emails and see your new YouTube channel is finally taking off (está despegando). You meet a friend for lunch, but you have to take off early to catch a flight (tienes que irte pronto). You get to the airport and watch the planes taking off (despegar) while you wait.
Four different "take offs." Four different Spanish verbs.
The Social "Take Off"
When you're with a group of friends and the night is winding down, you need a smooth exit. Don't be the person who says "Adiós" and just stands there.
Try: "Bueno, me voy yendo."
This is a classic. It’s the "I’m starting the process of taking off." It’s soft. It gives people a chance to say their goodbyes without it feeling like you’re slamming the door.
Or, if you want to be a bit more modern: "Me retiro."
It literally means "I'm retiring," but it’s used to mean "I’m retiring from the social scene for the night." It’s polite. It’s a bit formal but in a charming, slightly ironic way.
Actionable Steps for Mastery
To really get comfortable with these variations, you need to stop thinking in English. Easier said than done, right? But here is a practical way to do it.
- Categorize by Body vs. Space: If the "taking off" involves your body (clothes, shoes, glasses), use quitarse. If it involves moving your body through space (leaving a room, leaving a city), use irse or salir.
- Listen for the "Se": When you watch Spanish shows or listen to podcasts, pay attention to how often they use irse vs ir. You’ll notice that almost every time someone leaves a scene, they use the reflexive.
- Practice the "Metaphorical Take Off": Think about your hobbies or career. Use despegar for those things. It helps cement the idea that despegar is for things that "ascend," not just things that "leave."
- Learn one regional slang term: If you’re traveling to a specific country, learn their version of "taking off." In Spain, use pirarse. In Mexico, use arrancar. It’s an instant rapport builder.
Language is about connection. When you use the right verb for the right moment, you aren't just communicating; you’re showing that you understand the culture. You’re showing that you know the difference between a plane, a jacket, and a quick exit from a boring conversation.
Start by swapping out your "Adiós" for "Me voy." It’s a small change, but it’s the first step toward sounding like someone who actually knows how to take off in Spanish. Focus on the intent of your departure. Are you removing something? Are you ascending? Or are you just heading home? Once you identify the intent, the verb follows naturally. There's no need to overcomplicate it once you see the pattern. Get the reflexive right, pick your context, and you're good to go.