SACAR vs QUITAR
Clear Guide for Spanish Learners
Sacar and quitar are both common Spanish verbs that involve removing something, but they are used in different contexts.
SACAR
to take out; to extract
Use sacar when something is taken out from inside a container, pocket, bag, box, drawer, or any enclosed space. It also has extended meanings such as to take a photo, to get a grade, or to withdraw money.
Saca la leche del refrigerador.
Take the milk out of the fridge.
Saqué mi teléfono del bolsillo.
I took my phone out of my pocket.
Sacó una foto del paisaje.
He/She took a photo of the landscape.
Sacaron buenas notas este semestre.
They got good grades this semester.
Voy a sacar dinero del cajero.
I’m going to withdraw money from the ATM.
QUITAR
to remove; to take off
Use quitar when something is removed from a surface, taken off a person, or when you want to eliminate or get rid of something (a stain, pain, obstacle, etc.). It implies separation or clearing away.
Quita los platos de la mesa.
Remove the plates from the table.
Quítate los zapatos antes de entrar.
Take off your shoes before entering.
Le quitaron la venda.
They removed his/her bandage.
Quítale la mancha con jabón.
Remove the stain with soap.
Quítate esa idea de la cabeza.
Get that idea out of your head.
Side-by-side Comparison
| Criterion | SACAR | QUITAR |
|---|---|---|
| Basic meaning | to take out; extract | to remove; take off; get rid of |
| Typical direction | from inside → outside | from on/over → away |
| Common contexts | pockets, bags, boxes, drawers, photos, grades, money | surfaces, clothing, accessories, stains, pain, obstacles |
| Spanish example | Saca el libro de la mochila. | Quita el libro de la mesa. |
| English translation | Take the book out of the backpack. | Take the book off the table. |
📌 Notes and Useful Distinctions
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If the object is inside something (a bag, a box, a drawer), prefer SACAR.
Sacar la ropa del armario. → Take the clothes out of the closet.
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If the object is on top of, attached to, or covering something (a table, a person, a surface), prefer QUITAR.
Quitar la tapa del frasco. → Remove the jar lid.
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Reflexive Forms:
quitarse = to take off (clothes, accessories):
Quítate la chaqueta. (Take off your jacket.)sacarse (less common reflexive) = to get oneself something:
sacarse una foto (to have one’s photo taken).
Common Idioms
With Sacar
- sacar provecho → to take advantage
- sacar partido → to make the most of
- sacar la basura → to take out the trash
- sacar entradas → to get tickets
With Quitar
- quitar el sueño → to keep awake
- quitar importancia → to downplay
- quitar la vista de → to take eyes off
Practice Sentences
- Saca la basura, por favor.
→ Take out the trash, please. - ¿Puedes sacar una copia de este documento?
→ Can you make a copy of this document? - Quítate el sombrero cuando entres.
→ Take off your hat when you enter. - Quita esa foto de la pared.
→ Remove that photo from the wall. - Saqué mi pasaporte de la cartera.
→ I took my passport out of my wallet. - Le quitaron el dolor con la medicina.
→ They removed the pain with the medicine. - Sacaron entradas para el concierto.
→ They got tickets for the concert. - Quita las hojas secas del jardín.
→ Remove the dead leaves from the garden. - ¿Puedes sacarme una foto?
→ Can you take a photo of me? - Quítate la máscara cuando hables.
→ Take off your mask when you speak.
Quick Memory Tips
Think "inside → out" for SACAR.
If it’s inside a container (or extracting a grade/photo), use sacar.
Collocations: foto, dinero, notas, basura.
Think "off / away" for QUITAR.
If it’s on a surface, on a person, or you want to eliminate it, use quitar.
Collocations: ropa, tapa, mancha, dolor.