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"Alentar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to encourage", and "animar" is a transitive verb which is also often translated as "to encourage". Learn more about the difference between "alentar" and "animar" below.
alentar(
ah
-
lehn
-
tahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to inspire)
a. to encourage
Las buenas notas lo alentaron a seguir estudiando.His good results encouraged him to keep studying.
b. to give the strength to
Agradezco a mi esposa que creyera en mí y me alentara a seguir adelante.I am grateful to my wife for believing in me and giving me the strength to carry on.
c. to cheer on (with shouts or cheers)
Los fans alentaban al equipo desde la grada.The fans cheered the team on from the stands.
alentarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
2. (to recuperate) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. to get better
El enfermo tardó dos semanas en alentarse del infarto.The patient took two weeks to get better after the heart attack.
b. to recover
Pedro ya se alienta tras la intervención.Pedro is now recovering following the operation.
animar(
ah
-
nee
-
mahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to encourage
Mis padres siempre me han animado a estudiar.My parents have always encouraged me to study.
2. (to enliven)
a. to liven up
Ese grupo sabe cómo animar una fiesta.That band really knows how to liven a party up.
a. to cheer on
Mi familia vino a animarme en la media maratón.My family came to cheer me on at the half marathon.
animarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
b. to liven up
Cuando llegó la banda, la fiesta se animó y todo el mundo se puso a bailar.When the band arrived, the party livened up and everyone started dancing.
c. to brighten up
La cara del niño se animó al ver los caramelos.The boy's face brightened up when he saw the candy.
d. to get energized
Rocío siempre se anima cuando sale a bailar salsa.Rocio always gets energized when she goes out salsa dancing.
e. to get going
En el momento en que salió el tema de la corrupción política, el debate se animó.The moment the topic of political corruption came up, the debate got going.
6. (to resolve)
a. to decide
Si te animas a venir al cine, dímelo y voy a buscarte con el carro.If you decide to come to the movies, just let me know, and I'll go pick you up in my car.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¿Te animas a ir a nadar a la piscina mañana?Are you up for a swim in the pool tomorrow?
Nosotros vamos esta noche a la disco. ¿Se animan?We're going to the disco tonight. Are you in?
