Spanish word

recostar

Pronunciation

IPA/rekosˈtaɾ/

Meaning

  • verblie down

Example

Voy a recostarme en el sofá después del trabajo.

I'm going to lie down on the sofa after work.

Illustration for recostar (lie down)

More examples

En la sala de espera me recosté en los cojines para relajarme.

In the waiting room I lay down on the cushions to relax.

Core concept

A person reclining on a sofa with the upper body supported by the backrest.

Common phrases

  • recostarse en los cojines

    lie down on the cushions

  • recostarse junto a la ventana

    lie down by the window

Similar words

recostarse: Leans back on a sofa or chair, upper body supported and slightly tilted while resting briefly.
echarse: Lies down on a floor or sofa, placing the body horizontally to rest.
tumbarse: Lies completely flat on side or back, fully horizontal.
acostarse: Lies down in bed with the intention of sleeping.

Definition in Spanish

Apoyar el cuerpo, total o parcialmente, sobre un soporte; en forma pronominal, ponerse en posición más horizontal para descansar o relajarse por un rato.

Word origin

From prefix re- plus Latin costa 'side', via Old Spanish recostar, originally meaning to place the body against a side or support and so 'to lean or lie back'.

Usage tips

  • Commonly used pronominally (recostarse) to mean reclining briefly or resting the head, not necessarily going to sleep, so contrast recostarse with acostarse which means to go to bed.

Other meanings

  • lean backverb
  • lean againstverb

Opposites

  • levantarseget upverb

Related words

  • recostadoreclinedadjective

Word lists with this word