Salir and irse both relate to the idea of departing or leaving, but they are used in slightly different ways. Salir typically means "to leave" or "to go out" and is often used when specifying from where someone leaves (e.g., salir de la casa). Irse means "to go away" or "to leave" and is more about the person removing themselves from a place, often without specifying the destination (e.g., irse de la casa).
Usage
- Salir is often followed by de to indicate the place being left (salir de la oficina).
- Irse is reflexive (irse) and emphasizes the subject leaving or going away.
- Salir can also mean "to go out" socially (salir con amigos).
- Irse focuses on the act of leaving, sometimes abruptly or for a longer time.
Examples
| Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| Salgo de casa a las ocho. | I leave the house at eight. |
| Me voy de casa a las ocho. | I leave (go away from) the house at eight. |
| Salimos con amigos los viernes. | We go out with friends on Fridays. |
| Se fue sin despedirse. | He/she left without saying goodbye. |
| Salen del trabajo a las seis. | They leave work at six. |
| Se fueron de la ciudad el pasado verano. | They left the city last summer. |
Salgo de casa a las ocho.
- I leave the house at eight.
- I leave home at eight.
- I go out of the house at eight.
'Salgo de casa a las ocho' means 'I leave the house at eight.' It uses 'salir de' to indicate leaving a specific place.
Tips
- Think of salir as “exiting” from a specific place.
- Think of irse as “going away” or “taking oneself away” from somewhere.
- Irse always includes the reflexive pronoun (me, te, se), which highlights the subject’s action.
Which tip best summarizes how to think about 'irse'?
Think of 'irse' as 'going away' or 'taking oneself away' from somewhere.
'Irse' focuses on the subject removing themselves from a place, often without specifying a destination, and includes the reflexive pronoun.
Flashcards (1 of 6)
- English Example: I leave the house at eight.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
