desbloquear

to unblock

verb des-bloh-keh-AHR Rare

Also means

to unlock

Usage Note

Desbloquear is the everyday verb for unlocking a phone screen, unblocking a contact on social media, or unblocking a negotiation deadlock. Its opposite is bloquear. It is a regular -ar verb; note the spelling keeps qu before e to preserve the /k/ sound: desbloqueo, desbloqueas.

Examples

"Necesitas desbloquear el teléfono para usarlo."

Natural Translation

You need to unlock the phone to use it.

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