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recostar

rre-kohs-TAR/rekosˈtaɾ/

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

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.

A2

I leaned the bicycle against the tree.

Ella recuesta su cabeza en mi hombro cuando está cansada.

B1

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

No recuestes los cuadros contra la pared húmeda.

B2

Don't lean the paintings against the damp wall.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

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.

A2

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

Él se recostó en el sofá para ver la tele.

A2

He leaned back on the sofa to watch TV.

Después de comer, siempre se recuesta un ratito.

B1

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

Word Connections

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

Common Collocations

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

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesrecostaran
yorecostara
túrecostaras
vosotrosrecostarais
nosotrosrecostáramos
él/ella/ustedrecostara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesrecuesten
yorecueste
túrecuestes
vosotrosrecostéis
nosotrosrecostemos
él/ella/ustedrecueste

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesrecostaron
yorecosté
túrecostaste
vosotrosrecostasteis
nosotrosrecostamos
él/ella/ustedrecostó

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesrecostaban
yorecostaba
túrecostabas
vosotrosrecostabais
nosotrosrecostábamos
él/ella/ustedrecostaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesrecuestan
yorecuesto
túrecuestas
vosotrosrecostáis
nosotrosrecostamos
él/ella/ustedrecuesta
View All Tenses & Moods →

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▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 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'.