Spanish word

ablandar

Pronunciation

IPA/aβlanˈdaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbsoften

Example

Necesito ablandar la carne antes de cocinarla.

I need to soften the meat before cooking it.

Illustration for ablandar (soften)

More examples

Para ablandar la masa, deja que repose a temperatura ambiente.

To soften the dough, let it rest at room temperature.

Core concept

A stern face or strict rule visibly softening.

Common phrases

  • ablandar la masa

    soften the dough

  • ablandar el suelo

    soften the soil

  • ablandar el tono

    soften the tone

Similar words

suavizar: Soothes sharp expression or tone, giving a gentler impression.
aflojar: Reduces tightness or pressure, loosening knots, bolts, or muscles.
ablandecer: Softens meat by cooking, pounding, or marinating until tender.

Definition in Spanish

Volver menos rígido o menos severo algo físico o una actitud.

Word origin

Derived from blando (from Latin blandus) with the verb suffix -ar, keeping the concrete sense of making things pliable and the figurative sense of reducing severity.

Usage tips

  • To describe making a person less strict say ablandar a alguien or ablandar el corazón, while ablandarse means to become more receptive or less rigid oneself.

Other meanings

  • easeverb

Opposites

Related words

  • reablandarresoftenverb
  • ablandamientosofteningnoun

Word lists with this word