tenderse
/tendeɾse/from spelling rules
To lay down in Spanish is tenderse.
The form tenderse is used when a person lies themselves down, whereas tender (without the reflexive suffix) is used when placing an object down.
Meaning: to place on the ground (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The root verb tender literally means to stretch out or spread something out.
Which one should you use?
Use tenderse when a person lies themselves down. If you are placing an object down, use tender without the reflexive suffix.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because tenderse is a reflexive verb, you must use a reflexive pronoun like se to indicate the subject is performing the action on themselves, for example, se tiende means he/she/it lies down.
How do you pronounce it?
/tendeɾse/
Did you know?
- While tenderse describes lying down, the phrase quedarse tendido is often used in news reports or police summaries to describe a casualty who has fallen and remained on the ground.
- In certain contexts, tender can be used to describe the act of setting up a temporary stall or market stand in a street.
- The root tender also appears in the word tendencia, which means 'tendency' in English, as both imply a direction or a stretching toward a certain state.
Examples in context
- Cuando tenga un momento libre, puede acostarse en la cama.When you have a free moment, you can lay down in bed.
- Después de las reuniones, me gusta tenderme un rato en mi escritorio para descansar.After meetings, I like to lay down on my desk for a while to rest.
- Vamos a echarnos en el césped a tomar el sol.Let's lay down on the grass to sunbathe.
- Después de comer, me gusta tirarme en el sofá para descansar un rato.After eating, I like to lay down on the couch for a while.
- Me recuesto en mi hamaca favorita para leer un buen libro.I lay down on my favorite hammock to read a good book.
- El gato quiere tenderse en el sofá.The cat wants to lie down on the sofa.
- No es bueno tenderse en el suelo frío.It is not good to lie down on the cold floor.
Example conversation
Daniel and María are resting in the living room.
- DanielEstoy muy cansado, María.I am very tired, María.
- MaríaPuedes tenderse en el sofá, Daniel.You can lay down on the sofa, Daniel.
- DanielGracias, necesito descansar un poco.Thanks, I need to rest a bit.
- MaríaEstá bien, descansa tranquilo.That is fine, rest peacefully.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry tenderse, 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.
