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renunciar a algo
/re.nunˈsjaɾ a ˈal.ɡo/
to give up something
Decidió renunciar a su trabajo para viajar por el mundo.
He decided to give up his job to travel the world.
formal
To voluntarily give up or abandon something that one has, owns, or is entitled to.
Renunció a su herencia por principios morales.
He gave up his inheritance on moral grounds.
Muchos deportistas renuncian a su privacidad por la fama.
Many athletes give up their privacy for fame.
Commonly used in legal, financial, and personal contexts. Often implies a deliberate choice rather than forced abandonment.
Collocations
renunciar a un derechoto waive a rightrenunciar a la ciudadaníato renounce citizenshiprenunciar a un premioto turn down an award
Synonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Preposition 'a' is mandatory
The phrase always requires 'a' before the object being given up. Incorrect: 'renunciar algo' (without 'a'). Correct: 'renunciar a algo'.
Gold Rule
Voluntary vs. forced abandonment
Unlike 'abandonar' (which can imply being forced to leave), 'renunciar a' always implies a voluntary decision to give something up.
Word Origin
From Latin 'renuntiare' (to report back, to renounce), composed of 're-' (back) + 'nuntiare' (to announce). The phrase 'a algo' uses the preposition 'a' to indicate the thing being given up.
Usage Notes
Always followed by the preposition 'a' when indicating what is being given up. In some contexts, it can imply sacrifice or principle (e.g., 'renunciar a un lujo' = to give up a luxury).
Word Breakdown
renunciar
to renounce, to give up
verba
to (indicating direction or target)
prepositionalgo
something
pronounDiccionario Español-Inglés