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descansar

dess-kahn-SAHRdes.kanˈsaɾ

“descansar” means “to rest” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to rest, to take a break

Also: to sleep
VerbA1regular ar
A high quality storybook illustration of a small bear cub sleeping peacefully in a green hammock strung between two trees, representing taking a break.
infinitivedescansar
gerunddescansando
past Participledescansado

📝 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

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

to be based on, to rely on

Also: to lie
VerbB2regular arformal
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.
infinitivedescansar
gerunddescansando
past Participledescansado

📝 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

Indicative

Present

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

Imperfect

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

Preterite

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

Subjunctive

Present Subjunctive

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

Imperfect Subjunctive

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

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "descansar" in Spanish:

to lie→to rest→to sleep→

✏️ 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
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the Latin *dis-*, meaning separation or reversal, combined with *campsare*, meaning 'to shift position' or 'to land.' The original meaning referred to 'getting off the road' or 'unloading' a burden, which evolved into the modern sense of taking a break.

First recorded: Medieval Spanish

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: descansarCatalan: descansar

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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).