How to Say "to soothe" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to soothe” is “calmar” — use this for generally calming down emotions, pain, or a crying baby, making them less agitated.
calmar
kahl-MARkalˈmaɾ
Examples
La música suave ayuda a calmar al bebé.
Soft music helps to calm the baby.
La madre calma al bebé.
The mother calms the baby.
Necesito calmar mis nervios antes del examen.
I need to calm my nerves before the exam.
El viento se calmó por la noche.
The wind settled down at night.
Calmarse vs. Calmar
Use 'calmarse' (with -se) when the person doing the action is also the one getting calm: 'Me calmé' = 'I calmed down.' Use 'calmar' (without -se) when you calm someone else: 'Te calmé' = 'I calmed you down.'
Forgetting the reflexive pronoun
Mistake: “Yo calmé después del examen”
Correction: Yo me calmé después del examen. When you mean 'to calm down' (yourself), Spanish needs the '-se' ending attached to the verb.
relajar
reh-lah-HARre.laˈxaɾ
Examples
Tomar un baño caliente me relaja después de un día largo.
Taking a hot bath relaxes me after a long day.
Esta música suave me relaja mucho después del trabajo.
This soft music relaxes me a lot after work.
El profesor trata de relajar el ambiente antes del examen.
The teacher tries to relax the atmosphere before the exam.
Un buen masaje puede relajar los músculos tensos.
A good massage can relax tense muscles.
When you are the one relaxing
If you want to say 'I relax,' you usually add a small word: 'Me relajo.' Without that 'me,' it means you are relaxing something else (like your muscles or your friend).
Describing things that relax you
To say 'The music relaxes me,' put the 'me' before the verb: 'La música me relaja.'
Using 'relajar' alone
Mistake: “Yo relajo en el parque.”
Correction: Yo me relajo en el parque.
tranquilizar
tran-kee-lee-sahrtɾaŋkiliˈsaɾ
Examples
Le hablé en voz baja para tranquilizarla.
I spoke to her in a low voice to calm her down.
La madre intenta tranquilizar al bebé que llora.
The mother is trying to calm the crying baby.
Tus palabras me tranquilizan mucho, gracias.
Your words reassure me a lot, thank you.
El médico habló con la familia para tranquilizarla antes de la cirugía.
The doctor spoke with the family to reassure them before the surgery.
The Spelling 'Z' to 'C' Swap
When a verb ends in '-zar', the 'z' changes to a 'c' whenever it is followed by an 'e'. This happens in the 'yo' form of the past (tranquilicé) and all present forms of the 'special wish/doubt' mood (tranquilice).
Using the 'Personal A'
Since you usually calm down a person (or a pet), you must use the word 'a' before the person you are calming. For example: 'Tranquilizo A mi hermana'.
Spelling Error in the Past
Mistake: “Yo tranquilizé”
Correction: Yo tranquilicé. In Spanish, we avoid writing 'ze' and use 'ce' instead.
Confusing 'Calm' with 'To Calm'
Mistake: “Estoy tranquilizar.”
Correction: Estoy tranquilo (I am calm) or Estoy tranquilizando a mi amigo (I am calming my friend). Use the adjective 'tranquilo' for descriptions and the verb for the action.
aliviar
ah-lee-vee-ahraliˈβjaɾ
Examples
Este ungüento aliviará la picazón de la picadura de insecto.
This ointment will relieve the itch from the insect bite.
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'.
sedar
seh-DAHRseˈðar
Examples
El anestesiólogo decidió sedar al paciente para la operación.
The anesthesiologist decided to sedate the patient for the operation.
El doctor decidió sedar al paciente antes de la cirugía.
The doctor decided to sedate the patient before the surgery.
Tuvimos que sedar al perro para cortarle las uñas.
We had to sedate the dog to cut his nails.
Esta música suave ayuda a sedar mis nervios.
This soft music helps to soothe my nerves.
Direct Action Word
This verb usually needs a 'target' (the person or animal being sedated). Because you are doing it to someone, you often use the 'personal a' (e.g., 'Sedar a Juan').
A 'False Friend' Warning
Don't confuse 'sedar' with 'sed' (thirst) or 'seda' (silk). While they look similar, 'sedar' is strictly about calming or medicating.
Confusing with 'Sentar'
Mistake: “Voy a sedar en la silla.”
Correction: Voy a sentarme en la silla. (Sedar means to medicate/calm, while sentar means to sit down).
curar
koo-RAHRkuˈɾaɾ
Examples
Con el tiempo, el corazón roto se cura.
With time, a broken heart heals.
El tiempo cura todas las penas.
Time heals all sorrows.
Esperamos que este acuerdo cure las tensiones entre las naciones.
We hope this agreement remedies the tensions between the nations.
Calmar vs. Aliviar
Related Translations
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