Inklingo

How to Say "to socialize" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to socialize” is “relacionarse” — use 'relacionarse' when you want to emphasize the act of interacting and forming connections with people, especially those you don't know well or from different backgrounds..

English → Spanish

relacionarse

/re-la-syo-NAR//relasjoˈnaɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'relacionarse' when you want to emphasize the act of interacting and forming connections with people, especially those you don't know well or from different backgrounds.
A group of happy people sitting in a circle and talking together.

Examples

Me gusta relacionarme con gente de otros países.

I like to socialize with people from other countries.

Es importante que los niños se relacionen en el parque.

It is important for children to interact at the park.

Ella se relaciona con la alta sociedad.

She associates with high society.

The 'Reflexive' Part

When you use 'relacionarse' (with me, te, se, nos, os), it changes the meaning from linking objects to people interacting with each other.

Forgetting the pronoun

Mistake: “Me gusta relacionar con gente.”

Correction: Me gusta relacionarME con gente. If you are the one socializing, you need that 'me'!

alternar

/ahl-tehr-nahr//alteɾˈnaɾ/

verbB2general
Choose 'alternar' when referring to spending time with others in a social setting, often implying going out, enjoying company, and moving between different people or groups.
A small group of diverse people sitting together on a park bench talking and laughing.

Examples

Le gusta alternar con gente de diversos países.

She likes to socialize with people from various countries.

Es importante alternar con los clientes fuera de la oficina.

It is important to mingle with clients outside of the office.

Fuimos al club para alternar un poco.

We went to the club to socialize a bit.

The preposition 'con'

When using this word to mean socializing, you almost always need to follow it with 'con' (with) to specify who you are hanging out with.

convivir

/kon-bee-beer//kombiˈβiɾ/

verbB2general
Use 'convivir' when the focus is on spending time together within a group, emphasizing shared experience and living or working alongside others.
A group of friends laughing and talking while sitting together on a park bench.

Examples

Me gusta convivir con mis colegas después del trabajo.

I like to socialize with my colleagues after work.

En las fiestas, es importante convivir con todos los invitados.

At parties, it is important to mingle with all the guests.

Group Meaning

When used for socializing, 'convivir' usually implies more than just being in a room; it suggests a healthy or active interaction between group members.

Relacionarse vs. Convivir vs. Alternar

Learners often confuse 'relacionarse' and 'convivir'. Remember that 'relacionarse' focuses on the act of interacting and making connections, while 'convivir' emphasizes spending time together as a group, often in a shared space or activity.

Related Translations

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