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"Callado" is a form of "callado", an adjective which is often translated as "silent". "Atenuado" is a form of "atenuar", a transitive verb which is often translated as "to alleviate". Learn more about the difference between "callado" and "atenuado" below.
callado(
kah
-
yah
-
doh
)
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
adjective
a. silent
Todos en la biblioteca estaban completamente callados.Everyone in the library was completely silent.
b. quiet
Después de que los niños se acuestan, la casa está por fin callada.After the kids go to bed, the house is finally quiet.
a. quiet
El niño callado miraba con desconcierto a los adultos ruidosos.The quiet little boy stared in bewilderment at the loud adults.
b. reserved
Cuando era niña era callada, pero ahora es muy extrovertida.When she was a kid she was reserved, but now she's very outgoing.
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atenuar(
ah
-
teh
-
nwahr
)
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. to alleviate
Las frutas fueron suficiente para atenuar nuestra hambre.The fruits were enough to alleviate our hunger.
b. to moderate
El director debería atenuar el tono de sus comentarios y convertirlos en críticas constructivas.The director should moderate the tone of his remarks and turn them into constructive criticism.
c. to ease
Toma este calmante. Te atenuará el dolor en la rodilla.Take this painkiller. It will ease your knee pain.
d. to attenuate
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
(formal)
La nieve atenuó el impacto de la caída.The snow attenuated the impact of the fall.
a. to dim (light)
El tramoyista atenuó las luces y bajó el telón.The stagehand dimmed the lights and lowered the curtain.
b. to tone down (color)
Añade agua para atenuar el color.Add water to tone down the color.
a. to extenuate
Un juez propuso atenuar la pena por hurto.A judge proposed extenuating the punishment for theft.
atenuarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
pronominal verb
a. to lessen
La carga tributaria en las pequeñas y medianas empresas comenzó a atenuarse.The tax burden on small and medium-size businesses began to lessen.
b. to diminish
El impacto en el medio ambiente se atenuó gracias a las nuevas medidas ecológicas.The impact on the environment diminished thanks to the new green regulations.
c. to ease
El dolor se atenuó cuando me puse hielo en el tobillo.The pain eased once I applied ice to my ankle.
d. to die down
El sonido del tren se atenuaba a medida que se iba perdiendo en la distancia.The sound of the train died down as it disappeared into the distance.
e. to dim
Las luces se atenuaron y la orquesta empezó a tocar.The lights dimmed and the orchestra began to play.
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