relajarse
/relaxaɾse/from spelling rules
To kick back in Spanish is to relajarse.
The phrase is used when you want to describe the act of de-stressing or stopping work to relax. While relajarse focuses on achieving a relaxed mental state, it is different from descansar, which focuses more on the physical act of resting or sleeping.
Which one should you use?
Relajarse is used to emphasize de-stressing, whereas descansar is more commonly used when referring to the physical need for rest or sleep.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, there are specific informal ways to express this. You can use echar la hueva or echar flojera to mean kicking back. You may also hear echar la flojera.
How do you pronounce it?
/relaxaɾse/
Did you know?
- In Mexico, the informal phrase echar la hueva literally translates to 'throwing the egglessness' or 'throwing the lack of eggs'.
- In Spanish, the concept of kicking back is often linked to the word sobremesa, which describes the tradition of relaxing and talking at the table long after a meal has ended.
- If you are in a professional Spanish-speaking environment, avoid using echar la hueva, as it can be seen as quite vulgar or disrespectful due to its slang roots.
Examples in context
- En mi tiempo libre, me gusta relajarme con un buen libro.In my free time, I like to relax with a good book.
- Vamos a descansar un rato en el parque después del almuerzo.Let's kick back at the park for a while after lunch.
- Después de una larga caminata, decidimos tomarnos un respiro en la playa.After a long hike, we decided to kick back at the beach.
- Necesito relajarme un poco después del trabajo.I need to kick back a little after work.
- Es importante relajarse después de trabajar tanto.It is important to kick back after working so much.
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are talking about their busy work week.
- ElenaEstoy muy cansada de trabajar tanto.I am very tired of working so much.
- AlejandroTú necesitas relajarse hoy, Elena.You need to kick back today, Elena.
- ElenaTienes razón, voy a leer un libro.You're right, I'm going to read a book.
- AlejandroEso suena perfecto para descansar.That sounds perfect for resting.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry relajarse, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
