Alabanza or Elogio

Question

When is it more appropriate to use "alabanza" or "elogio"? We are talking about praising children in a parenting class. The participants (mostly Mexico) are often unfamiliar with "elogio" but "alabanza" does not seem to be exactly what we mean.

Welsome to SD - please complete your SD profile - it helps us help you. - ian-hill, Apr 8, 2014

Answer 1

"Alabanza" sounds more like something you would sing in church. "¡Alabado sea Dios!" "Elogio" is closer to what you want to say, but not many people use it. If you want it to sound natural, I suggest you use the Spanish words for "make a compliment": "hacer un cumplido",it is very common in Mexico and everyone understands it. Another useful word is"halagar".

Here are some examples with "hacer un cumplido" and "halagar", They can be used in many ways.

1. "Siempre que nos vemos me hace algún cumplido por cómo me peino o me visto."
2. "Ana creía que halagando a la profesora sacaría un diez en la materia."
3. "Mi marido me hizo un cumplido el otro día que usé este vestido, así que me lo pondré de nuevo para la fiesta de mañana."
4. "Me halaga mucho que todos mis amigos hayan faltado a su trabajo para venir a visitarme al hospital."

Answer 2

To me:

alabar = to commend/to laud

elogiar = to praise

Although they are both the same....

Is this if any help? Am I thinking correctly in English?

Thanks. The issue is which one would be more appropriate to describe showing appreciation with the goal of motivating a child's behavior. My paper dictionary does list "elogioso" with the meaning of 'appreciative'. So we have used "elogiar". - willkrimm, Apr 8, 2014

Perfecto. Tu alabas al señor en la iglesia. Entiendes? - chileno, Apr 9, 2014

Si. And that is why it seemed not quite correct. - willkrimm, Apr 16, 2014

Answer 3

For praise, I usually use encomio (encomiar).

Answer 4

Elogiar can be = eulogise (about something or somebody)

Alabar can be = praise (directly to somebody)

I didn’t get a word of praise. - No me dijeron ni una sola palabra de alabanza.