Animar vs Alentar

Question

Which is the most common or better way to express "to encourage". For example, "I want to encourage you to....(whatever)"

Have you consulted the translation feature here or other dictionaries? I'm interested in finding out what a native speaker will say. I would use "animar" just off the cuff. - Jubilado, Aug 23, 2015

Answer 1

Alentar significa "dar aliento" or "give breath to" It's like giving someone new life. Recently I was feeling a little "blue" and asked a friend on SD to write me something "para alentarme" un poco. She did, and I felt better.

thanks "txelis"... your answer is more to the point than the others.... & plus you say your fluent - t8805jg, Aug 24, 2015

Answer 2

"Animar" is more used than "alentar", but they both work well

Answer 3

I would choose 'entusiasmar'.