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"Relax" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "relajarse", and "relaxation" is a noun which is often translated as "la relajación". Learn more about the difference between "relax" and "relaxation" below.
relax(
ri
-
lahks
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. relajarse
I am going to take a warm bath to relax.Voy a tomarme un baño caliente para relajarme.
If you want to relax, go take a walk on the beach.Si quieres relajarte, sal a caminar por la playa.
b. descansar
Lupita likes listening to music to relax.A Lupita le gusta escuchar música para descansar.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
2. (to loosen)
a. relajar
I need a massage to relax my tight neck muscles.Necesito un masaje para relajar los músculos tensos del cuello.
b. aflojar
Erica was so scared on the rollercoaster that she didn't release her grip on the bar until the very end.Erica estaba tan aterrada en la montaña rusa que no aflojó la fuerza con que sujetaba la barra hasta el final de todo.
relaxation(
ri
-
lahk
-
sey
-
shihn
)A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
a. la relajación (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Half an hour in the sauna should facilitate muscle relaxation after a long workout.Media hora de sauna debería ayudar a la relajación de los músculos después de un largo entrenamiento.
b. el relajamiento (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The students were happier once the administration announced the relaxation of its strictest policies.Los estudiantes se alegraron cuando la administración anunció el relajamiento de sus políticas más estrictas.
2. (leisure)
a. el esparcimiento (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Going to the spa is a good activity for relaxation.Ir al spa es una buena actividad de esparcimiento.
b. la distracción (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
If she doesn't allow herself some time for relaxation, she'll drive herself crazy.Si no busca un poco de tiempo para la distracción, se va a volver loca.
3. (rest)
a. el descanso (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The doctor told him that he needed a lot of relaxation in order to recover from the operation.El médico le dijo que necesitaba mucho descanso para recuperarse de la operación.
b. la relajación (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Her mother taught her some relaxation exercises to help her reduce stress.Su madre le enseñó unos ejercicios de relajación para ayudarla a reducir el estrés.
