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"Macerar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to soak", and "aderezar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to season". Learn more about the difference between "macerar" and "aderezar" below.
macerar(
mah
-
seh
-
rahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (culinary)
a. to soak
No olvides macerar los garbanzos en agua durante 24 horas antes de cocinarlos.Do not forget to soak the chickpeas in water for 24 hours before you cook them.
b. to macerate
El cocinero mezcló las fresas con azúcar en un recipiente para macerarlas.The cook mixed the strawberries with sugar in a bowl to macerate them.
c. to marinate
La carne tenía un sabor único después de macerarla.The meat had a unique flavor after we marinated it.
d. to marinade
La salsa con la que se maceró la carne estaba hecha de miel.The sauce the meat was marinaded with was made with honey.
2. (to degrade)
a. to mortify
Los guardianes sádicos maceraban a los esclavos con insultos.The sadistic guards mortified the slaves with insults.
macerarse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
a. to mortify oneself
El fanático se maceraba para demostrar su devoción religiosa.The fanatic mortified himself to show his religious devotion.
aderezar(
ah
-
deh
-
reh
-
sahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to season
El chef adereza el plato con unas especias aromáticas para darle sabor.The chef seasons the dish with some aromatic spices to make it tastier.
El jamón se adereza con pimentón y sal.The ham is seasoned with paprika and salt.
a. to garnish
El perejil se utiliza para aderezar distintos platos.Parsley is used to garnish various dishes.
b. to embellish
El arquitecto había aderezado el techo con volutas y cornisas.The architect had embellished the ceiling with scrollwork and cornices.
aderezarse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
a. to dress up
Marta se aderezó como si fuéramos a ir a la mayor fiesta de la historia.Marta dressed up as if we were going to the biggest party in history.
a. to be embellished
El pueblo se aderezó con todo tipo de adornos para recibir al príncipe.The town was embellished with all sorts of decorations to welcome the prince.
