borrar

Borrar is a Spanish verb meaning to erase, delete, or wipe out. It covers removing marks from a surface, deleting data or text on a device, and figuratively removing something from memory, records, or consideration. In everyday speech, it is common in both physical and digital contexts.

Etymology and related forms: Borrar derives from the noun borradura or borrador, referring to blotting or erasing; the exact origin within medieval Spanish is uncertain. The verb has cognates in related Romance languages, and the noun borrador means eraser, while borrado denotes the act of erasing.

Conjugation overview: as a regular -ar verb, borrar follows standard patterns. Present indicative: yo borro, tú borras, él/ella/usted borra, nosotros borramos, vosotros borráis, ellos/ustedes borran. Preterite: borré, borraste, borró, borramos, borrasteis, borraron. Imperfect: borraba, borrabas, borraba, borrábamos, borrabais, borraban. Future: borraré, borrarás, borrará, borraremos, borraréis, borrarán. Past participle: borrado; gerund: borrando.

Usage notes and examples: In writing and computing, borrar is used for deleting data, such as borrar un archivo or borrar un mensaje. In physical contexts, it means to remove marks with erasing, as in borrar una pizarra. Semantic nuance: borrar can imply complete removal; eliminar is often more formal or neutral.

See also: Related terms include borrador (eraser), borradura (blotting out), and borrado (the act of erasing).