acostado
/akostado/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase for "laying down" is acostado.
The word is used to describe the state of being in a horizontal position on a surface, such as a bed.
Which one should you use?
Use acostado to describe the state of being already lying down, whereas the reflexive verb acostarse is used to describe the actual action of lying down.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender with the person being described, so use acostada for a female. The plural form acostadas is used when describing a group consisting only of females.
How do you pronounce it?
/akostado/
Did you know?
- The word costa, meaning 'coast', is a linguistic relative of acostado. Both words trace back to a root meaning 'side', referring to the side of the body or the edge of a landmass.
- While acostado refers to lying down, the phrase estar echado is often used interchangeably in casual speech, though echar literally means 'to throw'.
- In certain regional dialects, saying one is acostado during the day can imply they are avoiding their responsibilities or 'playing hooky' rather than simply resting.
Examples in context
- El paciente está acostado en la cama.The patient is lying down in bed.
- La mujer está recostada en la silla.The woman is reclining on the chair.
- Estoy tumbado en el sofá viendo televisión.I am lying down on the couch watching TV.
- ¡No te quedes tirado en el suelo!Don't just lie down on the floor!
- Mi perro está descansando en su cama favorita.My dog is resting on his favorite bed.
- El doctor me indicó estar acostado durante la recuperación.The doctor told me to lie down during the recovery.
- Estoy acostada debido a un fuerte dolor de espalda.I am lying down due to intense back pain.
- Después de un largo día de trabajo, simplemente me tiro en la cama.After a long day at work, I just flop onto the bed.
- Los veranos en la playa son perfectos para estar recostados en una silla bajo el sol.Summers at the beach are perfect for reclining on a chair under the sun.
- Él está acostado en el sofá.He is lying down on the sofa.
- Estoy acostado en el sofá.I am laying down on the sofa.
- Él se quedó acostado toda la tarde.He stayed laying down all afternoon.
- No te sientas, quédate acostado un rato.Don't sit up, stay laying down for a while.
Example conversation
Lucía finds Alejandro resting in the living room.
- AlejandroMe siento muy cansado.I feel very tired.
- Lucía¿Quieres seguir acostado un momento?Do you want to keep laying down for a moment?
- AlejandroSí, me quedaré acostado en el sofá.Yes, I will stay laying down on the sofa.
- LucíaEstá bien, descansa un poco.That's fine, rest a bit.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries acostado, CC BY-SA 4.0.
