suavizar
“suavizar” means “to soften” in Spanish (to make something physically soft or a situation less harsh).
to soften, to smooth out
Also: to tone down, to ease
📝 In Action
Esta crema ayuda a suavizar la piel seca.
A2This cream helps to soften dry skin.
El director tuvo que suavizar su mensaje para no asustar a los empleados.
B1The director had to tone down his message so as not to scare the employees.
Usamos papel de lija para suavizar los bordes de la mesa.
B2We used sandpaper to smooth out the edges of the table.
Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Indicative
Preterite
Imperfect
Present
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: suavizar
Question 1 of 3
Which of the following is the correct 'yo' form in the past tense (Preterite)?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'suavis', which means sweet, pleasant, or delightful. It evolved into the Spanish adjective 'suave' and later the verb 'suavizar'.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'suavizar' and 'ablandar'?
While they both mean 'to soften,' 'suavizar' is usually about texture or intensity (like skin or a voice), while 'ablandar' is about making something physically soft or flexible that was once hard (like softening butter or meat).
Is 'suavizante' related to this word?
Yes! 'Suavizante' is the noun form used for 'fabric softener'—the product that 'suaviza' your clothes.
Can I use 'suavizar' for colors?
Absolutely. You can 'suavizar los colores' to mean making them less bright or intense.