SACAR vs QUITAR

Take out, take off, remove, get rid of

Sacar usually means taking something out of a place or getting something. Quitar usually means taking something off, removing it from a surface, or getting rid of it.

SACAR

to take out; to extract; to get

Use sacar when something comes out from inside a container, pocket, bag, box, drawer, building, or enclosed space. It is also used for photos, grades, tickets, money, copies, and results.

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.

¿Puedes sacarme una foto?

Can you take a photo of me?

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; to get rid of

Use quitar when something is removed from a surface, taken off a person, detached, cleared away, or eliminated. It is very common with clothes, stains, pain, covers, and obstacles.

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.

Quita 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

Comparison table for sacar and quitar in Spanish
Criterion SACAR QUITAR
Core image inside → outside on / attached / covering → away
Basic meaning to take out; extract; get to remove; take off; get rid of
Common contexts bags, pockets, boxes, rooms, photos, grades, money, tickets, copies surfaces, clothes, accessories, covers, 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

  • If the object is inside something, prefer sacar.

    Sacar la ropa del armario. → Take the clothes out of the closet.

  • If the object is on top of, attached to, covering, or bothering someone, prefer quitar.

    Quitar la tapa del frasco. → Remove the jar lid.

  • Reflexive forms:

    quitarse = to take off clothes or accessories: Quítate la chaqueta.

    sacarse una foto = to take / have a photo taken: Nos sacamos una foto en la playa.

Common Expressions

With Sacar

  • sacar provecho → to benefit / make use of
  • sacar partido → to make the most of
  • sacar la basura → to take out the trash
  • sacar entradas → to get tickets
  • sacar una copia → to make a copy

With Quitar

  • quitarse la ropa → to take off clothes
  • quitar una mancha → to remove a stain
  • quitar el dolor → to relieve pain
  • quitar importancia → to downplay
  • quitarle el sueño a alguien → to keep someone awake

Practice Sentences

  1. Saca la basura, por favor.
    → Take out the trash, please.
  2. ¿Puedes sacar una copia de este documento?
    → Can you make a copy of this document?
  3. Quítate el sombrero cuando entres.
    → Take off your hat when you enter.
  4. Quita esa foto de la pared.
    → Remove that photo from the wall.
  5. Saqué mi pasaporte de la cartera.
    → I took my passport out of my wallet.
  6. La medicina le quitó el dolor.
    → The medicine relieved his/her pain.
  7. Sacaron entradas para el concierto.
    → They got tickets for the concert.
  8. Quita las hojas secas del jardín.
    → Remove the dry leaves from the garden.
  9. ¿Puedes sacarme una foto?
    → Can you take a photo of me?
  10. Quítate la mascarilla cuando termines.
    → Take off your mask when you finish.

Quick Memory Tips

Think “inside → out” for SACAR.

If it’s inside a container, or you are getting/extracting something, use sacar.
Collocations: foto, dinero, notas, basura, entradas, copia.

Think “off / away” for QUITAR.

If it’s on a surface, on a person, attached, or something you want to eliminate, use quitar.
Collocations: ropa, tapa, mancha, dolor, importancia.

Related pages

Essential Spanish Verbs Review core verb logic and confusing verb pairs. The Verb DEJAR Learn leave, let, stop, quit and allow in context. The Verb LLEVAR Carry, wear, take and spend time in Spanish. Reflexive Verbs Understand forms like quítate, ponte and lávate. Verbs Like Gustar Master me gusta, me duele, me molesta and more. Verbs with Prepositions Quiz Practice common verb patterns in context.