How to Say "to relieve" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to relieve” is “aliviar” — use 'aliviar' to talk about reducing physical or emotional discomfort, such as pain, stress, or tension.
Use 'aliviar' to talk about reducing physical or emotional discomfort, such as pain, stress, or tension.
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Use 'relevar' specifically when one person is taking over a task, shift, or duty from another person.
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Use 'desahogar' when referring to easing a financial pressure or a heavy burden, often related to money or obligations.
Learn more →ah-lee-vee-ahraliˈβjaɾ
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'.
rreh-leh-BAHRreleˈβar
Examples
Mi compañero me va a relevar a las ocho para que yo pueda cenar.
My coworker is going to relieve me at eight so that I can have dinner.
El soldado relevó a su compañero en la puerta de la base.
The soldier relieved his comrade at the base gate.
Es agotador conducir tantas horas; ¿me relevas un rato?
Driving for so many hours is exhausting; will you take over for a bit?
Using 'a' with People
When you use 'relevar' to talk about a person you are replacing, you must use the word 'a' before their name or the description of them (e.g., 'Relevo a Juan').
Confusing Relevar and Revelar
Mistake: “Voy a revelar a mi compañero.”
Correction: Voy a relevar a mi compañero. 'Revelar' means to reveal a secret or develop a photo; 'relevar' means to take someone's place.
deh-sah-oh-GARdesa.oˈɣaɾ
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!
Aliviar vs. Relevar
Learners often confuse 'aliviar' (to ease pain/stress) with 'relevar' (to take over a shift). Remember that 'aliviar' deals with feelings or physical sensations, while 'relevar' involves changing who is performing a task.
Related Translations
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