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"Cool off" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "refrescarse", and "cool down" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "enfriarse". Learn more about the difference between "cool off" and "cool down" below.
cool off(
kul
af
)An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
a. refrescarse
Everyone gathered around the fire hydrant that was shooting water to cool off.Todos se congregaron alrededor de la boca de incendios que echaba agua para refrescarse.
b. refrescar
It was really hot today, but then it cooled off after the rainstorm.Fue un día realmente caluroso, pero luego refrescó tras la tormenta.
a. enfriarse
Those two are wild! Clearly, even after 40 years of marriage, things haven't cooled off at all!¡Esos dos están locos el uno por el otro! Aunque llevan 40 años de matrimonio, está claro que no se ha enfriado la cosa entre ellos.
a. calmarse
Pedrito finally started to cool off once we told him he could have his toy back.Pedrito por fin empezó a calmarse una vez que le dijimos que le devolveríamos su juguete.
b. tranquilizarse
I was so furious that I had to go outside to cool off for a few minutes.Estaba tan furioso que tuve que salir para tranquilizarme durante unos minutos.
cool down(
kul
daun
)An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
a. enfriarse
Switch off the ignition and let the engine cool down before checking the oil level.Apaga el motor y deja que se enfríe antes de chequear el nivel del aceite.
b. refrescarse
The weather was so hot we had to keep jumping in the pool to cool down.Hacía tanto calor que tuvimos que tirarnos a la piscina a cada rato para refrescarnos.
a. calmarse
Once he's cooled down, he'll realize he made a mistake and he'll apologize.Una vez que se haya calmado, se dará cuenta de que se equivocó y pedirá disculpas.
A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
a. calmar
They started punching each other, but we managed to separate them and cool them down.Empezaron a pegarse, pero logramos separarlos y calmarlos.
