Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| reconfortante | /rekonfoɾˈtante/ |
| consolador | /konsolaˈdoɾ/ |
Both words describe the act of providing comfort, but they are used in different contexts. Use reconfortante for things that are physically or mentally restorative, such as food, warmth or a pleasant thought. Use consolador when you are talking about providing solace to someone experiencing grief, sadness or loss.
What does it mean word for word?
The word reconfortante is derived from the verb reconfortar, which means to strengthen or to reinvigorate.
Which one should you use?
Reconfortante is typically used for things that provide physical or emotional restoration, like a warm drink. In contrast, consolador is used specifically in the context of providing solace or consolation to someone suffering from sorrow.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, reconfortante must agree in gender with the noun it modifies. While the ending -ante remains the same for both masculine and feminine nouns, the accompanying article will change to match the noun's gender.
How do you pronounce it?
/rekonfoɾˈtante/
Did you know?
- Be careful with the word consolador, as it is also the most common noun used in Spanish to refer to a 'vibrator'.
- While reconfortante describes something restorative, its root fortis is the same one found in the English word 'fortitude'.
- In Spanish, using reconfortante to express sympathy after a death can sound oddly clinical or physical to a native speaker.
Examples in context
- Una taza de cacao caliente es reconfortante en una noche fría de invierno.A warm cup of cocoa is comforting on a cold winter night.This sentence shows how reconfortante can describe something providing warmth on a cold night.Tatoeba #10393636 by saverius, translation #10393647 by saverius
- Interesantemente, según los astrónomos modernos, el espacio es finito. Este es un pensamiento muy reconfortante – sobre todo para las personas que nunca pueden recordar donde han dejado las cosas.Interestingly, according to modern astronomers, space is finite. This is a very comforting thought particularly for people who can never remember where they have left things.This sentence illustrates the use of reconfortante to describe a thought that is mentally restorative.Tatoeba #5191598 by albrusgher, translation #3041629 by carlosalberto
- Lamento mucho su situación.I'm deeply sorry about your situation.
- Quisiera expresarle mi más sentido pésame.I would like to express my deepest condolences.
- Sé que atraviesa un momento difícil, pero estoy aquí para ayudarle.I know you're going through a hard time, but I'm here to help you.
- Lo siento mucho, amigo/a.I'm really sorry, friend.
- Sé que estás pasando por un momento difícil, pero aquí estoy para apoyarte.I know you're going through a tough time, but I'm here to support you.
- Cuenta conmigo para lo que necesites.Count on me for whatever you need.
- Escuchar su voz es muy reconfortante para mí.Listening to her voice is very comforting to me.
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are talking about a warm soup on a rainy day.
- ElenaEsta sopa de verduras es muy reconfortante.This vegetable soup is very comforting.
- DanielTienes razón, Elena, me hace sentir mejor.You're right, Elena, it makes me feel better.
- Elena¿Te gusta mucho el sabor?Do you like the flavor a lot?
- DanielSí, es el plato perfecto para hoy.Yes, it is the perfect dish for today.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “comforting” translations and entries reconfortante, consolador, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
