alivio cómico
/alibjo komiko/from spelling rules
The English phrase "comedic relief" is translated into Spanish as alivio cómico.
alivio cómico refers to a humorous scene or character inserted into a serious story to release tension.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a literal translation where alivio means "relief" and cómico means "comic".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is a masculine noun phrase, so if you use an adjective to describe the relief, it must be in the masculine form.
Did you know?
- In Golden Age Spanish theater, the character providing alivio cómico was not just a funny person but a specific archetype known as the gracioso.
- The word cómico is a doublet of the word cómic, which Spanish speakers use specifically to refer to a comic book or graphic novel.
- While alivio cómico is the technical term for the concept, if you want to praise a person's specific sense of wit or their ability to provide that relief, you might simply say they have 'mucha gracia'.
Examples in context
- El personaje del bufón en esta obra de teatro es una fuente inagotable de alivio humorístico.The jester character in this play is an endless source of comedic relief.
- El personaje de la película sirve como alivio cómico.The character in the movie serves as comic relief.
- El payaso es el alivio cómico de la obra.The clown is the comedic relief of the play.
- Necesitábamos un alivio cómico en esa película tan triste.We needed some comedic relief in that very sad movie.
- Su personaje funciona como un alivio cómico en la trama.His character works as comedic relief in the plot.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a movie they just watched.
- MaríaLa película era muy triste y oscura.The movie was very sad and dark.
- AlejandroSí, pero el asistente era un gran alivio cómico.Yes, but the assistant was a great comedic relief.
- MaríaEs verdad, me hizo reír en los momentos difíciles.That's true, he made me laugh during the difficult moments.
- AlejandroSin él, la historia habría sido demasiado pesada.Without him, the story would have been too heavy.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries alivio, cómico, CC BY-SA 4.0.
