How to Say "to balance" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to balance” is “equilibrar” — use this word when referring to making physical objects or forces stable, or when balancing abstract concepts like budgets, time, or emotions..
equilibrar
/eh-kee-lee-brar//ekiliˈβɾaɾ/
Examples
Es importante equilibrar la dieta para estar sano.
It is important to balance one's diet to be healthy.
Tienes que equilibrar el peso de las maletas.
You have to balance the weight of the suitcases.
El gimnasta intentaba equilibrar su cuerpo sobre la barra.
The gymnast was trying to balance his body on the bar.
Para que la estantería no se caiga, debemos equilibrar los libros.
So that the shelf doesn't fall, we must balance the books.
A Regular Follower
This verb follows the standard pattern for -ar verbs, meaning if you know how to conjugate 'hablar', you already know how to conjugate 'equilibrar'.
Using it with Objects
In Spanish, when you balance something, you usually put the item you are balancing right after the verb without needing extra words like 'out'.
Abstract Matching
When balancing two things like 'work' and 'life', use the word 'con' (with) or just list them with 'y' (and).
Reflexive Use
If you want to say something 'becomes balanced' on its own, you might see it used as 'equilibrarse'.
Mixing it with 'Balancear'
Mistake: “Using 'balancear' to mean balancing a budget.”
Correction: Use 'equilibrar' for stability/equality; 'balancear' often means to swing or rock back and forth.
Preposition Confusion
Mistake: “Saying 'equilibrar entre el trabajo y la vida'.”
Correction: Say 'equilibrar el trabajo y la vida'. In Spanish, you usually balance 'something' directly without 'between'.
balancear
/bah-lahn-seh-ahr//balanseˈaɾ/
Examples
Hay que balancear el peso en ambos lados de la báscula.
The weight must be balanced on both sides of the scale.
Necesitamos balancear la carga del camión.
We need to balance the load of the truck.
Es importante balancear los carbohidratos con proteínas.
It's important to balance carbohydrates with proteins.
Using 'con'
When saying you are balancing one thing with another, always use the word 'con' (with). Example: 'Balancear X con Y'.
The adjective form
Mistake: “Saying 'comida balance' for a balanced meal.”
Correction: Use the past participle as an adjective: 'comida balanceada'.
reconciliar
/rreh-kohn-see-lyahr//rekonθiˈljaɾ/
Examples
No logro reconciliar mi vida profesional con mi tiempo libre.
I cannot manage to reconcile my professional life with my free time.
Es difícil reconciliar el trabajo con la vida familiar.
It is difficult to reconcile work with family life.
Debemos reconciliar los datos del informe anterior.
We must reconcile the data from the previous report.
No puedo reconciliar sus palabras con sus acciones.
I cannot reconcile his words with his actions.
Abstract Connections
When connecting two ideas, use 'reconciliar [Idea A] con [Idea B]'.
Equilibrar vs. Balancear
Related Translations
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