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ablandar

ah-blahn-DAHRaβlanˈdaɾ

to soften

Also: to tenderize, to soak
VerbB1regular ar
A hand pressing into a soft, fluffy piece of dough on a wooden table.
gerundablandando
past Participleablandado
infinitiveablandar

📝 In Action

Tienes que remojar los frijoles para ablandarlos.

A2

You have to soak the beans to soften them.

El sol ablandó el asfalto de la carretera.

B1

The sun softened the asphalt on the road.

Usa un mazo para ablandar la carne antes de cocinarla.

B1

Use a mallet to tenderize the meat before cooking it.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • suavizar (to smooth/soften)
  • enternecer (to make tender)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • ablandar la carne – to tenderize meat
  • ablandar con agua – to soften with water

to soften up

Also: to relent
VerbB2regular ar
A stern-looking stone giant smiling while holding a small, delicate flower.
gerundablandando
past Participleablandado
infinitiveablandar

📝 In Action

Sus palabras ablandaron mi corazón.

B1

Her words softened my heart.

Intentamos ablandar al guardia para que nos dejara pasar.

B2

We tried to soften the guard up so he would let us through.

Después de mucho rogar, por fin se ablandó.

B2

After much begging, he finally relented.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • conmover (to move/touch emotionally)
  • apaciguar (to appease)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • ablandar el corazón – to soften someone's heart
  • ablandar la postura – to soften one's stance

Idioms & Expressions

  • dar para ablandar – to give something (like a bribe or gift) to make someone more cooperative

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yoablandara
túablandaras
él/ella/ustedablandara
nosotrosablandáramos
vosotrosablandarais
ellos/ellas/ustedesablandaran

Present Subjunctive

yoablande
túablandes
él/ella/ustedablande
nosotrosablandemos
vosotrosablandéis
ellos/ellas/ustedesablanden

Indicative

Preterite

yoablandé
túablandaste
él/ella/ustedablandó
nosotrosablandamos
vosotrosablandasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesablandaron

Imperfect

yoablandaba
túablandabas
él/ella/ustedablandaba
nosotrosablandábamos
vosotrosablandabais
ellos/ellas/ustedesablandaban

Present

yoablando
túablandas
él/ella/ustedablanda
nosotrosablandamos
vosotrosablandáis
ellos/ellas/ustedesablandan
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "ablandar" in Spanish:

to relent→to soak→to soften→to tenderize→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: ablandar

Question 1 of 3

Which sentence correctly uses 'ablandar' in a cooking context?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
blando(soft) — Adjective
ablandador(softener/tenderizer) — Noun
ablandamiento(softening) — Noun
blandura(softness) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From Latin 'ad-' (meaning 'towards') and 'blandus' (meaning 'soft' or 'mild'). This root is also where we get the English word 'bland'.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: abrandarItalian: ammorbidire

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use 'ablandar' for clothes?

Not usually. For clothes or fabric, it's better to use 'suavizar' (to make smooth/soft). 'Ablandar' is specifically for making something hard become less tough.

Is 'ablandar' irregular?

No, it follows the standard pattern for all verbs ending in -ar.

What is an 'ablandador de carne'?

It is a meat tenderizer, which can be a tool (like a mallet) or a powder used in cooking.