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"Contentar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to keep happy", and "animar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to encourage". Learn more about the difference between "contentar" and "animar" below.
contentar(
kohn
-
tehn
-
tahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to content)
a. to keep happy
Si quieres contentar a tu hermano tendrás que dejarle jugar con la consola.If you want to keep your brother happy you'll have to let him play with the game console.
b. to please
Hará lo que sea con tal de contentar a su nueva chica.He'll do anything to please his new girlfriend.
c. to satisfy
Tuvimos que cumplir ciertos requisitos para contentar a los financistas del proyecto.We had to meet certain requirements in order to satisfy the people financing the project.
contentarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to content oneself
Como no tenía hermanos, el niño se contentaba con jugar solo.As he had no brothers or sisters, the child contented himself with playing on his own.
b. to be happy
La mayoría se contenta con las cosas tal como son.The majority is happy with the way things are.
c. to settle
Sara se tuvo que contentar con un carro muy viejo porque no tenía dinero para más.Sara had to settle for an old car because she couldn't afford a newer one.
d. to make do
Nos tuvimos que contentar con la peor mesa del restaurante.We had to make do with the worst table in the restaurant.
3. (to resolve differences) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. to reconcile
Ana y Gabriel se contentaron y prometieron no volver a echarse nada en cara.Ana and Gabriel reconciled and promised not to reproach each other for anything again.
b. to be reconciled
Mi hermano y yo nos contentamos después de pedirnos perdón mutuamente.My brother and I were reconciled after apologizing to each other.
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?
