suavizar

to soften; to smooth

verb swah-bee-SAHR Rare

Also means

to tone down; to ease

Usage Note

Suavizar (to soften, to smooth) is a regular -ar verb that undergoes a spelling change in the subjunctive and imperative: suavice, suavices. It applies both literally — suavizar la piel (to soften the skin) — and figuratively — suavizar el tono (to tone down the language). The adjective suave (soft, mild) is its base, and the suffix -izar makes it a causative ('to make soft').

Examples

"Hay que suavizar el tono del mensaje."

Natural Translation

The tone of the message needs to be softened.

Related Words

Explore Spanish by topic

SpanishNow

Spanish Subjunctive Explained Simply for Beginners

The Spanish subjunctive is a mood, not a tense — use it after a WEIRDO trigger plus que. Learn the one rule, the yo-form recipe, and the lines you already say.

June 9, 2026 5 min read

SpanishNow

Mexican Spanish Slang Every Traveler Should Know

Mexican Spanish slang decoded for travelers: what güey, mande, órale, and ahorita really mean, who you can safely say them to, and how rude each one is.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Preterite vs. Imperfect: Spanish Past Tense Made Easy

Preterite vs. imperfect: use the preterite for finished events, the imperfect for ongoing scenery. A trigger-word cheat sheet, flowchart, and examples.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Spanish False Friends That Cause Real Embarrassment

Spanish false friends like embarazada and excitado don't mean what you think. Learn the trap words, the right ones to say instead, and how to stop guessing.

June 3, 2026 6 min read