suavizarse

to soften

suavizarse(swah-bee-sahr-seh)

pronominal verb

1. (to become less stern)

a. to soften

La expresión del jefe se suavizó cuando le expliqué por qué había llegado tarde.

My boss's expression softened when I explained why I was late.

2. (to become less extreme)

a. to become milder

Tras las heladas de la semana pasada, se espera que las temperaturas se suavicen.

After last week's frosts, temperatures are expected to become milder.

3. (to moderate)

a. to ease

Cuando Carmen entra en confianza con la gente que no conoce bien, su tartamudeo se suaviza.

Carmen's stutter eases when she starts to feel more comfortable with people she doesn't know well.

4. (to become calmer)

a. to calm down

Las tensiones entre los países de la región se están suavizando tras la firma del tratado.

Tensions between the various countries in the region have been calming down following the signing of the treaty.

5. (to become less hilly)

a. to become less steep

Después de la curva, el camino empieza a suavizarse.

The road starts to become less steep after the bend.

b. to become gentler

Al principio el descenso resulta difícil, pero mejora cuando la pendiente se suaviza.

At first the descent is hard, but it gets better as the slope becomes gentler.

suavizar

transitive verb

6. (to improve the condition of)

a. to soften (clothing, towels, skin)

Lavar la ropa con vinagre la suaviza.

Washing your clothes with vinegar will soften them.

b. to condition (hair, clothing, towels)

Tienes que usar un buen producto que te suavice el pelo.

You need to use a good product to condition your hair.

c. to smooth (legs, arms, skin)

Has probado el aceite de almendras? Ya verás como te suaviza la piel de los brazos.

Have you tried almond oil? You'll soon see how it smooths the skin on your arms.

d. to make smoother (legs, arms, skin)

Vale la pena exfoliar las piernas para suavizarlas.

It's worth exfoliating your legs to make them smoother.

e. to smooth out (wrinkles, lines, creases)

Esta crema es excelente para suavizar las arrugas de los ojos.

This cream is really good for smoothing out wrinkles around your eyes.

7. (to make less dark)

a. to tone down

Mi tintura es demasiado oscura. La quiero mezclar con otra para suavizar el color.

My hair dye is too dark. I'd like to blend it with a different one to tone down the color.

8. (to make less strong)

a. to tone down

¡Qué picante está la sopa! ¿Cómo la suavizo?

This soup is too spicy! How can I tone it down?

9. (to make quieter)

a. to lower

Jimena me saludó en voz alta, pero cuando vio que el bebé dormía, suavizó el tono de voz.

Jimena shouted a greeting to me but when she saw the baby was sleeping, she lowered her voice.

10. (to make gentler)

a. to mellow

El nacimiento de su nieto suavizó el carácter de Aída.

The birth of her grandson mellowed Aida's character.

11. (to make less strict)

a. to relax

Los empresarios reclaman que el gobierno suavice las normas de despido.

Employers are asking the government to relax the regulations for laying off employees.

12. (to make less extreme)

a. to make milder

El viento del noreste suavizará las temperaturas.

The northeast wind will make the temperatures milder.

13. (to moderate)

a. to soften

Al ver la expresión triste de su hermano, Marisa suavizó el tono.

When she saw her brother's sad expression, Marisa softened her tone.

b. to temper

Cuando vio que la niña lloraba, Javier intentó suavizar la dureza de sus palabras.

When he saw the girl was crying, Javier tried to temper the harshness of his words.

14. (to calm)

a. to ease

El diálogo siempre ayuda a suavizar los conflictos.

Dialogue always helps to ease conflicts.