contentarse

to content oneself

contentarse(kohn-tehn-tahr-seh)

pronominal verb

1. (to resign oneself)

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.

2. (to resolve differences)

(Latin America)

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.

contentar

transitive verb

3. (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.