balancear

to swing

balancear(bah-lahn-seh-ahr)

transitive verb

1. (to move to and fro)

a. to swing

El fuerte viento balanceó el árbol hasta que lo arrancó de raíz.

The strong wind swung the tree until it uprooted it.

b. to rock

La madre balanceaba la cuna y cantaba una nana para que el bebé se durmiera.

The mother rocked the cradle and sang a lullaby to make the baby fall asleep.

2. (to bring into equilibrium)

a. to balance

El mesero balanceó su bandeja y se dirigió a nuestra mesa.

The waiter balanced his tray and came toward our table.

balancearse

pronominal verb

3. (to move to and fro)

a. to swing

Vi una araña balanceándose sobre su telaraña.

I saw a spider swinging on its web.

b. to rock

Mi abuela se balanceaba en su mecedora mientras tejía la bufanda de lana.

My grandmother rocked in her rocking chair as she knitted the wool scarf.

c. to roll (ship or plane)

El barco siguió balanceándose entre las olas y empecé a marearme.

The boat kept rolling on the waves, and I started to feel seasick.

d. to sway (walking)

El borracho salió del bar balanceándose.

The drunk man swayed his way out of the bar.