recostarse
/rekostaɾse/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'sit back' is translated into Spanish as recostarse.
recostarse means to relax, to not exert oneself. While it literally refers to reclining, if you are using 'sit back' figuratively to mean 'relax' or 'take it easy' without necessarily physically reclining, the verb relajarse is often a more natural choice.
Meaning: to relax, to not exert oneself (verb)
Which one should you use?
recostarse specifically implies leaning back or reclining to relax, whereas sentarse means the general act of sitting down in a chair. For various ways to tell someone to 'make yourself comfortable' or 'sit back', you might use Póngase cómodo, Acomódate or Ponte cómodo depending on the social context.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a reflexive verb, it requires a reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nos, os, se) to indicate that the subject is performing the action on themselves, such as in the form se recuesta (he/she sits back/reclines).
How do you pronounce it?
/rekostaɾse/
Did you know?
- The reflexive nature of recostarse means that if you remove the reflexive pronoun se, the meaning changes from 'to sit back' to 'to lay something down' or 'to lean something against a wall'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the gesture of reclining or recostarse during a formal meeting can be perceived as a sign of extreme confidence or even arrogance, rather than just relaxation.
- While recostarse refers to the body, the word costado refers to the 'side' of a person or object. To recostarse is literally to put oneself on one's side.
Examples in context
- Vamos a quedarnos en casa, así que relájate y disfruta de la noche.We're staying in tonight, so sit back and enjoy the evening.
- Él se recostó en el sofá para descansar.He sat back in the sofa to rest.
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are resting in the living room.
- ElenaÑo, estoy muy cansada.Oh, I am very tired.
- AlejandroPuedes recostarse en el sofá.You can sit back on the sofa.
- ElenaGracias, eso suena perfecto.Thanks, that sounds perfect.
- AlejandroDescansa y olvida el estrés.Relax and forget the stress.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
