paralizar

pah-rah-lee-thahrpaɾaliˈθaɾ

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

to paralyze🔊B1Verb

physical or medical

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to stall🔊B2Verb

a process or project

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to paralyze

Also: to freeze

VerbB1regular with spelling change ar

A small wooden figure sitting still and unable to move while looking at its legs.

gerundparalizando

past Participleparalizado

infinitiveparalizar

📝 In Action

El accidente paralizó sus piernas temporalmente.

The accident paralyzed his legs temporarily.

Me quedé paralizado cuando vi el oso en el bosque.

I froze when I saw the bear in the forest.

El veneno de esta serpiente puede paralizar a su presa en segundos.

This snake's venom can paralyze its prey in seconds.

Word Connections

Synonyms

inmovilizar (to immobilize)
pasmar (to stun or daze)

Antonyms

movilizar (to mobilize)
animar (to encourage or liven up)

Common Collocations

paralizado por el miedo – paralyzed with fear
paralizado por el susto – frozen by the fright

Idioms & Expressions

quedarse de piedra – to be stunned or paralyzed with surprise

to stall

Also: to bring to a standstill

VerbB2regular with spelling change ar

A large gear with a thick wooden stick wedged between its teeth, stopping the machine.

gerundparalizando

past Participleparalizado

infinitiveparalizar

📝 In Action

La huelga paralizó el transporte público en toda la ciudad.

The strike brought public transport to a standstill across the city.

La falta de presupuesto paralizó la construcción del hospital.

The lack of budget stalled the construction of the hospital.

La crisis económica paralizó el mercado inmobiliario.

The economic crisis paralyzed the real estate market.

Word Connections

Synonyms

detener (to stop)
estancar (to stagnate or stall)

Antonyms

activar (to activate)
reanudar (to resume)

Common Collocations

paralizar el tráfico – to paralyze traffic
paralizar las negociaciones – to stall negotiations

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yoparalizara

túparalizaras

él/ella/ustedparalizara

nosotrosparalizáramos

vosotrosparalizarais

ellos/ellas/ustedesparalizaran

Present Subjunctive

yoparalice

túparalices

él/ella/ustedparalice

nosotrosparalicemos

vosotrosparalicéis

ellos/ellas/ustedesparalicen

Indicative

Preterite

yoparalicé

túparalizaste

él/ella/ustedparalizó

nosotrosparalizamos

vosotrosparalizasteis

ellos/ellas/ustedesparalizaron

Imperfect

yoparalizaba

túparalizabas

él/ella/ustedparalizaba

nosotrosparalizábamos

vosotrosparalizabais

ellos/ellas/ustedesparalizaban

Present

yoparalizo

túparalizas

él/ella/ustedparaliza

nosotrosparalizamos

vosotrosparalizáis

ellos/ellas/ustedesparalizan

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Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "paralizar" in Spanish:

to freeze→to paralyze→to stall→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: paralizar

Question 1 of 3

Which form of 'paralizar' is correct for 'I paralyzed' (past tense)?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼

parálisis(paralysis) — Noun

paralización(standstill/stoppage) — Noun

paralizante(paralyzing) — Adjective

paralítico(paralytic) — Adjective

🎵 Rhymes▼

analizar realizar

📚 Etymology▼

From the Greek word 'paralysis', which meant a 'loosening' or 'disabling' of the nerves.

First recorded: 16th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: paralyzeFrench: paralyser

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'paralizar' always medical?

No! While it can be medical, it's very commonly used for emotions (fear) or systems (traffic, economy, projects).

What's the difference between 'parar' and 'paralizar'?

'Parar' simply means to stop. 'Paralizar' is more dramatic, meaning to completely freeze or make movement impossible.

Can I use it for my computer freezing?

Yes, you can say 'la computadora se paralizó', though 'se trabó' or 'se congeló' are also very common.