Inklingo

How to Say "to ease" in Spanish

English → Spanish

aliviar

/ah-lee-vee-ahr//aliˈβjaɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'aliviar' when you want to make a physical or emotional feeling less intense, such as pain, discomfort, or worry.
A person placing a cool, damp cloth on the forehead of another person resting in bed.

Examples

Esta pastilla te ayudará a aliviar el dolor de cabeza.

This pill will help you relieve your headache.

Escuchar música me ayuda a aliviar el estrés del trabajo.

Listening to music helps me ease the stress from work.

Sintió un gran consuelo al aliviar su conciencia.

He felt great comfort in easing his conscience.

Using 'aliviar' for yourself

When you want to say that YOU feel relieved, you add 'se' to the end (aliviarse). For example: 'Me alivié al saber la noticia' (I felt relieved when I heard the news).

Relief 'from' something

When you are relieved of a specific problem, Spanish uses the word 'de'. Example: 'Aliviar a alguien de sus penas' (To relieve someone of their sorrows).

Don't use 'relievar'

Mistake: “Quiero relievar mi estrés.”

Correction: Quiero aliviar mi estrés. 'Relievar' is not a real Spanish word for easing pain; it's a common mistake because it sounds like the English word 'relieve'.

suavizar

/swah-bee-SAHR//swaβiˈθaɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'suavizar' to describe making something less harsh, strict, or rough, like softening skin, moderating a tone, or relaxing rules.
A hand pressing down on a plush, fluffy white pillow to show its softness.

Examples

Esta crema ayuda a suavizar la piel seca.

This cream helps to soften dry skin.

El director tuvo que suavizar su mensaje para no asustar a los empleados.

The 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.

We used sandpaper to smooth out the edges of the table.

The 'Z' to 'C' Spelling Shift

When a verb ends in -zar, the 'z' changes to a 'c' whenever it is followed by the letter 'e'. This happens in the 'yo' form of the past tense and in all forms of the special 'wish/command' verb mood.

Direct Action

This verb is used directly with the thing being softened. You don't need a preposition like 'with' or 'on' when you say what you are softening: 'suavizar la piel' (soften the skin).

Spelling the Past Tense

Mistake: “Yo suavizé.”

Correction: Yo suavicé. (Spanish spelling rules prefer 'ce' over 'ze' in almost all cases).

desahogar

/deh-sah-oh-GAR//desa.oˈɣaɾ/

verbB2informal
Use 'desahogar' specifically when talking about relieving pressure or difficulty, most commonly in financial or debt-related situations.
A hand placing a golden coin into an overflowing piggy bank.

Examples

Este dinero extra nos ayudará a desahogar las cuentas un poco.

This extra money will help us ease our bills a bit.

Necesitamos desahogar el tráfico en la avenida principal.

We need to clear the traffic on the main avenue.

Mañana tendré tiempo porque se ha desahogado mi agenda.

I'll have time tomorrow because my schedule has cleared up.

Physical vs. Emotional

When used for space or money, the word usually describes the 'thing' being cleared, whereas emotional venting usually focuses on the 'person'.

Don't confuse with 'desahuciar'

Mistake: “Saying 'desahogar' when you mean to evict someone from a house.”

Correction: Use 'desahuciar' for eviction. 'Desahogar' is about relief, not kicking someone out!

Don't confuse physical relief with financial relief

The most common mistake is using 'aliviar' for financial situations or 'desahogar' for physical pain. Remember, 'aliviar' is for feelings and sensations, while 'desahogar' is for easing financial burdens.

Related Translations

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