Spanish Conversation · Level 104
59 words
Spanish word
apaciguar
Pronunciation
IPA/apaθiˈɣwaɾ/
Meaning
- verbcalm
Example
¿Puedes apaciguar al niño?
Can you calm the child?
More examples
El mediador intentó apaciguar el conflicto antes de que empeorara.
The mediator tried to settle the conflict before it worsened.
Core concept
A mediator calming two people who are shouting.
Common phrases
apaciguar a un niño
soothe a child
apaciguar un conflicto
settle a conflict
apaciguar las aguas
calm things down
Similar words
calmar: Soothes physical pain or emotional distress, bringing immediate, relaxed calm.
tranquilizar: Calms fears and removes worry, making a person feel safe and reassured.
serenar: Makes a turbulent mood or setting become tranquil and quietly composed.
sosegar: Settles agitation or nervousness, restoring a measured, peaceful state.
Definition in Spanish
Lograr que baje la intensidad de una emoción fuerte o de un conflicto, dejando la situación más pacífica.
Word origin
From Latin pacificare 'make peace' (pax 'peace' + -ficare 'make'), which evolved into Spanish as apaciguar meaning 'make peaceful'.
Usage tips
- The verb commonly takes a person or situation as object and uses a before people (apaciguar a alguien), so omitting a before a person sounds unnatural.