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descansar

/dess-kahn-SAHR/

to rest

A high quality storybook illustration of a small bear cub sleeping peacefully in a green hammock strung between two trees, representing taking a break.

Visualizing descansar as 'to rest' or 'to take a break.'

descansar(Verb)

A1regular ar

to rest

?

to take a break

,

to take a break

?

to stop working or moving

Also:

to sleep

?

often used euphemistically, especially if referring to a long rest

📝 In Action

Necesito descansar después de este largo viaje.

A1

I need to rest after this long trip.

¿Por qué no descansas la vista un rato?

A2

Why don't you rest your eyes for a while?

Descansamos el sábado y el domingo.

A2

We rest (are off work) on Saturday and Sunday.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • reposar (to rest (more formal))
  • relajarse (to relax)

Antonyms

  • trabajar (to work)
  • esforzarse (to make an effort)

Common Collocations

  • descansar bien – to rest well/to sleep well
  • descansar la cabeza – to clear one's head

💡 Grammar Points

A Regular AR Verb

This verb follows the easiest conjugation pattern (AR ending), so once you know one 'AR' verb, you know 'descansar'!

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing 'descansar' and 'relajarse'

Mistake: "Me voy a descansar en la playa. (I am going to rest at the beach.)"

Correction: While okay, 'Me voy a relajar en la playa' (I am going to relax at the beach) is often more natural for leisure activities.

⭐ Usage Tips

Use for Sleeping

You can ask '¿Descansaste bien?' (Did you sleep well?) after someone wakes up. It's a slightly softer way to ask than using 'dormir'.

A simple storybook illustration showing a sturdy stone pillar providing the sole support for the corner of a small wooden house, representing reliance or being based on something.

Visualizing descansar en as 'to be based on' or 'to rely on,' where the structure relies on the pillar for support.

descansar(Verb)

B2regular ar

to be based on

?

when using 'descansar en' (to rely on)

,

to rely on

?

to be founded upon

Also:

to lie

?

(formal) to be situated

📝 In Action

La conclusión del estudio descansa en datos verificables.

B2

The study's conclusion is based on verifiable data.

Nuestra esperanza descansa en la nueva generación de líderes.

C1

Our hope rests (or relies) on the new generation of leaders.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • basarse (to be based on)
  • depender (to depend)

Common Collocations

  • descansar en la ley – to be based on the law
  • descansar en la evidencia – to rely on the evidence

💡 Grammar Points

Always Needs 'en'

When used in this figurative way (to rely or be based on), 'descansar' always needs the little word 'en' (on/in) immediately following it.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Omitting the Preposition

Mistake: "El plan descansa los hechos. (Incorrect)"

Correction: El plan descansa en los hechos. (The plan relies on the facts.)

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/usteddescansa
yodescanso
túdescansas
ellos/ellas/ustedesdescansan
nosotrosdescansamos
vosotrosdescansáis

imperfect

él/ella/usteddescansaba
yodescansaba
túdescansabas
ellos/ellas/ustedesdescansaban
nosotrosdescansábamos
vosotrosdescansabais

preterite

él/ella/usteddescansó
yodescansé
túdescansaste
ellos/ellas/ustedesdescansaron
nosotrosdescansamos
vosotrosdescansasteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/usteddescanse
yodescanse
túdescanses
ellos/ellas/ustedesdescansen
nosotrosdescansemos
vosotrosdescanséis

imperfect

él/ella/usteddescansara
yodescansara
túdescansaras
ellos/ellas/ustedesdescansaran
nosotrosdescansáramos
vosotrosdescansarais
View All Tenses & Moods →

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: descansar

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'descansar' in its figurative meaning (to be based on)?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

el descanso(rest, break (noun)) - noun
descansado(rested (adjective)) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'descansar' and 'tomar un descanso'?

They mean the same thing! 'Descansar' is the verb ('to rest'), while 'tomar un descanso' is a common phrase meaning 'to take a rest' or 'to take a break.' Both are perfectly natural.

Can I use 'descansar' to mean 'sleep'?

Yes, indirectly. It often refers to sleeping well, as in 'descansar bien.' However, if you want to explicitly talk about sleeping, use the verb 'dormir' ('Me voy a dormir' = I am going to sleep).