liberar
verbUpper-intermediate
What does “liberar” mean in English?
to release, to free
to release, to free (liberar a alguien — physically free; liberar + resource — release for use)
Example sentences
Las autoridades liberaron a los rehenes tras largos días de negociaciones con los secuestradores.
The authorities freed the hostages after many days of negotiations with the kidnappers.
La empresa decidió liberar el código fuente para que la comunidad pudiera contribuir al desarrollo.
The company decided to release the source code so the community could contribute to development.
How to use it
Liberar means 'to release', 'to free', or 'to liberate'. Structure: liberar a alguien (free a person); liberar + resource (release funds, data). Also: liberar tensión (release tension). More formal than soltar (let go — physical/casual). Reflexive liberarse de = free oneself from.
Common mistake
Liberar (free/release — more formal and complete) vs. soltar (let go — physical, informal) vs. excarcelar (release from prison — technical legal term). In publishing/tech, liberar is the standard verb for releasing software or content.
Topics
Related Upper-intermediate words
Reference
This entry’s teaching guidance follows Plan Curricular del Instituto Cervantes (Instituto Cervantes), B2 Funciones 6.55.