recostar

rre-kohs-TARrekosˈtaɾ

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

to lean🔊B1Verb

to rest something against a surface

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to lie down🔊A2Verb

to take a short rest

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to lean

Also: to lay down

VerbB1irregular (stem-changing) ar

A wooden ladder leaning against a bright blue wall.

gerundrecostando

past Participlerecostado

infinitiverecostar

📝 In Action

Recosté la bicicleta contra el árbol.

I leaned the bicycle against the tree.

Ella recuesta su cabeza en mi hombro cuando está cansada.

She leans her head on my shoulder when she is tired.

No recuestes los cuadros contra la pared húmeda.

Don't lean the paintings against the damp wall.

Word Connections

Synonyms

apoyar (to lean/support)
inclinar (to tilt/incline)

Antonyms

enderezar (to straighten)
levantar (to lift up)

Common Collocations

recostar la cabeza – to lean/rest one's head
recostar contra la pared – to lean against the wall

to lie down

Also: to recline

VerbA2irregular (stem-changing) ar

A person resting comfortably on a soft yellow sofa.

gerundrecostándose

past Participlerecostado

infinitiverecostarse

📝 In Action

Me voy a recostar un momento porque me duele la cabeza.

I'm going to lie down for a moment because my head hurts.

Él se recostó en el sofá para ver la tele.

He leaned back on the sofa to watch TV.

Después de comer, siempre se recuesta un ratito.

After eating, he always lies down for a little while.

Word Connections

Synonyms

tumbarse (to lie down)
echarse (to throw oneself down (rest))

Antonyms

levantarse (to get up)

Common Collocations

recostarse un rato – to lie down for a while
recostarse en el sofá – to lie down on the sofa

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yorecostara

túrecostaras

él/ella/ustedrecostara

nosotrosrecostáramos

vosotrosrecostarais

ellos/ellas/ustedesrecostaran

Present Subjunctive

yorecueste

túrecuestes

él/ella/ustedrecueste

nosotrosrecostemos

vosotrosrecostéis

ellos/ellas/ustedesrecuesten

Indicative

Preterite

yorecosté

túrecostaste

él/ella/ustedrecostó

nosotrosrecostamos

vosotrosrecostasteis

ellos/ellas/ustedesrecostaron

Imperfect

yorecostaba

túrecostabas

él/ella/ustedrecostaba

nosotrosrecostábamos

vosotrosrecostabais

ellos/ellas/ustedesrecostaban

Present

yorecuesto

túrecuestas

él/ella/ustedrecuesta

nosotrosrecostamos

vosotrosrecostáis

ellos/ellas/ustedesrecuestan

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Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "recostar" in Spanish:

to lean→to recline→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: recostar

Question 1 of 3

How do you say 'I lie down' in Spanish?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼

acostar(to put to bed) — Verb

costado(side) — Noun

costilla(rib) — Noun

🎵 Rhymes▼

apostar cantar bienestar

📚 Etymology▼

From the prefix 're-' (meaning back or again) and 'costar' (from Latin 'costa', meaning side or rib). Literally, to put your side against something.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

French: accosterEnglish: coast

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'acostar' and 'recostar'?

'Acostar' is usually for going to bed for the night. 'Recostar' is for leaning against something or taking a quick, casual rest.

Does recostar always need 'me' or 'se'?

Only if you are the one leaning or lying down. If you are leaning a bike or a ladder, you don't use the 'me' or 'se'.

Is it 'recuesto' or 'recosto'?

In the present tense for 'I', it is always 'recuesto'. The 'o' changes to 'ue'.