relaxar
[rə.ləkˈsa]
To relax in Catalan is relaxar.
The verb is used to describe resting and becoming relieved of stress. You may also use desconnectar as a common alternative when specifically referring to taking a break from work or mental stress.
Meaning: (intransitive) to rest and become relieved of stress (verb)
Which one should you use?
The choice of form depends on whether you are relaxing yourself or something else. Use the reflexive form relaxar-se when a person is relaxing or resting. Use the non-reflexive form relaxar when you are relaxing something else, such as relaxar els músculs (to relax the muscles).
How does it change in a sentence?
When the verb is used to indicate that a person is performing the action of resting, it is typically used in its reflexive form relaxar-se.
When do people say it?
To express the idea of relaxing by releasing control, you can use the phrase deixa't portar, which translates to 'let yourself be carried'.
Did you know?
- Despite its similarity to the English 'relax', relaxar in Catalan can also be used in legal contexts to describe the releasing of a prisoner.
- The word relaxar is borrowed from the Latin relaxāre, which originally described the loosening of a tightened bowstring.
- The alternative desconnectar literally means 'to disconnect', treating the human brain like an electrical appliance being unplugged from a socket.
Examples in context
- Deixa't portar pel ritme de vida mediterrani i relaxa't.Let yourself go with the Mediterranean lifestyle rhythm and relax.
- Vull relaxar-me a la platja.I want to relax at the beach.
Example conversation
Montserrat and Pol are talking about their stressful work week.
- MontserratEstic molt cansada, Pol.I am very tired, Pol.
- PolJo també. Hem de relaxar.Me too. We have to relax.
- MontserratVolem anar a la platja?Do we want to go to the beach?
- PolSí, és el lloc perfecte.Yes, it is the perfect place.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry relaxar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries relaxar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
