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paralizar

pah-rah-lee-thahr/paɾaliˈθaɾ/

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

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.

B1

The accident paralyzed his legs temporarily.

Me quedé paralizado cuando vi el oso en el bosque.

A2

I froze when I saw the bear in the forest.

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

B2

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

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

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.

B1

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

La falta de presupuesto paralizó la construcción del hospital.

B2

The lack of budget stalled the construction of the hospital.

La crisis económica paralizó el mercado inmobiliario.

C1

The economic crisis paralyzed the real estate market.

Word Connections

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

Common Collocations

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

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesparalizaran
yoparalizara
túparalizaras
vosotrosparalizarais
nosotrosparalizáramos
él/ella/ustedparalizara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesparalicen
yoparalice
túparalices
vosotrosparalicéis
nosotrosparalicemos
él/ella/ustedparalice

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesparalizaron
yoparalicé
túparalizaste
vosotrosparalizasteis
nosotrosparalizamos
él/ella/ustedparalizó

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesparalizaban
yoparalizaba
túparalizabas
vosotrosparalizabais
nosotrosparalizábamos
él/ella/ustedparalizaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesparalizan
yoparalizo
túparalizas
vosotrosparalizáis
nosotrosparalizamos
él/ella/ustedparaliza
View All Tenses & Moods →

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▼
📚 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.