relajarse
/relaxaɾse/from spelling rules
To unwind in Spanish is relajarse.
You might also use the informal verb desconectar, which literally means 'to disconnect' and refers to unwinding from daily stresses or technology. If you want to unwind by going somewhere new, you can use the informal phrase cambiar de aires, which translates to 'change of air'.
Meaning: to relax (verb)
Which one should you use?
While relajarse focuses on achieving a mental or physical state of relaxation, the verb descansar is used specifically to mean 'to rest' or to take a break from activity or sleep.
How does it change in a sentence?
Relajarse is a reflexive verb, which means you must use reflexive pronouns (me, te, se, nos, os, se) to indicate that you are relaxing yourself. For example, in the first person singular present tense, you would say me relajo to mean 'I unwind', placing the pronoun 'me' before the conjugated verb.
How do you pronounce it?
/relaxaɾse/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the act of unwinding is socially linked to the sobremesa, the tradition of staying at the table long after a meal to talk and relax.
- The word descanso can refer to both the act of unwinding and the physical flat platform between two flights of stairs.
- In Spain, the specific verb desestresarse is often preferred over relajarse when the need to unwind is a direct reaction to high pressure or anxiety.
Examples in context
- Después de un largo día de trabajo, es importante relajarse.After a long day of work, it is important to unwind.
- Los fines de semana, me gusta descansar para poder recargar energías.On weekends, I like to rest to be able to recharge my energy.
- Es necesario recrear el cuerpo y la mente para mantener un equilibrio en nuestra vida.It is necessary to refresh the body and mind to maintain a balance in our life.
- Por un rato, olvídate del celular y simplemente desconecta.For a while, forget about the cell phone and simply disconnect.
- ¡Estoy agotado! Necesito tomar un respiro y descansar un poco.I'm exhausted! I need to take a breather and rest a bit.
- Necesito relajarme después del trabajo.I need to unwind after work.
- Es importante relajarse durante las vacaciones.It is important to relax during vacations.
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are talking about their stressful day.
- LucíaHoy fue un día muy largo, Javier.Today was a very long day, Javier.
- JavierTienes razón, es hora de relajarse.You're right, it's time to unwind.
- LucíaVoy a tomar un baño caliente.I am going to take a hot bath.
- JavierEso 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.
