Spanish word

frenar

Pronunciation

IPA/fɾeˈnaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbslow down

Example

El coche frenó en la curva.

The car slowed down on the curve.

Illustration for frenar (slow down)

More examples

Tuve que frenar en seco por un peatón.

I had to brake hard for a pedestrian.

Core concept

Foot pressing a car brake pedal.

Common phrases

  • frenar el coche

    slow the car down

  • frenar en seco

    brake hard

  • frenar el ritmo

    slow the pace

Similar words

desacelerar: Reduces speed gradually over time.
ralentizar: Makes movement or activity proceed at a slower pace or tempo.
moderar: Lowers the strength or intensity of an action or behavior.

Definition in Spanish

Reducir la velocidad de un vehículo, de un objeto en movimiento o de un proceso para que vaya más despacio; también se emplea en sentido figurado para indicar contención.

Word origin

Derived from the noun freno and ultimately from Latin frēnum 'bridle', the verb reaches Spanish via medieval frenare and acquires the sense of applying a check to movement.

Usage tips

  • Common collocations are dar un frenazo for a sudden strong brake and frenar en seco for an abrupt stop, and frenar also appears figuratively to mean curbing a tendency.

Other meanings

  • brakeverb
  • stopverb

Opposites

Related words

  • frenobrakenoun
  • frenadoslowedadjective
  • frenamientodecelerationnoun

Word lists with this word