Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
REST in Spanish: DESCANSAR
Descansar · verb · dehs-kahn-SAHR
Rest as a verb—to relax, take a break, or sleep—translates to descansar in Spanish. The noun form is descanso (a rest, a break, or an intermission at a show). There is also a completely separate meaning of 'rest': when you say 'the rest of the group,' that translates to el resto del grupo, using a different word entirely. Keeping descansar/descanso (rest/relaxation) separate from resto (remainder) is essential for clear communication.
dehs-kahn-SAHR
Necesitas descansar después de trabajar tantas horas seguidas.
You need to rest after working so many hours in a row.
Rest in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for rest, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| descansar | rest | dehs-kahn-SAHR | Default, widely understood |
| descanso | rest | noun form: a rest/break | |
| resto | rest | the rest/remainder |
How Native Speakers Use Descansar
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
After a long day
Voy a descansar un rato antes de salir a cenar.
I am going to rest for a while before going out to dinner.
Un rato means 'a while,' often paired with descansar.
Taking a break
Después de tres horas de caminata, hicimos un descanso junto al río.
After three hours of hiking, we took a rest by the river.
Hacer un descanso means 'to take a rest' or 'to take a break.'
The remainder
Puedes guardar el resto de la comida en el refrigerador.
You can store the rest of the food in the refrigerator.
El resto means 'the rest/remainder,' an entirely different word from descanso.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Descansar
Confusing descanso with resto
Incorrect: Come el descanso de tu comida. (meaning the rest/remainder)
Correct: Come el resto de tu comida.
Descanso means a break or relaxation. Resto means the remaining portion of something. They sound nothing alike but both translate to 'rest' in English.
Using restar for resting
Incorrect: Voy a restar después del trabajo.
Correct: Voy a descansar después del trabajo.
Restar means 'to subtract' in mathematics. Descansar is the verb for resting or relaxing.
Lock in Rest Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Descansar used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using descansar in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Necesitas descansar después de trabajar tantas horas seguidas. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About Rest in Spanish
- What is the difference between descanso and resto?
- Descanso (from descansar) refers to relaxation, a break, or an intermission—the act of resting. Resto (from restar, to remain) refers to the remaining part of something. They correspond to two completely different English meanings of 'rest': 'to rest' vs. 'the rest of.' Mixing them up changes the meaning entirely.
- How do you say 'rest in peace' in Spanish?
- The phrase is descanse en paz, often abbreviated as D.E.P. (comparable to R.I.P. in English). It uses the subjunctive descanse because it expresses a wish or hope. You will see Q.E.P.D. (que en paz descanse) on grave markers and obituaries.
- Is descansar a regular verb?
- Descansar is a perfectly regular -ar verb, which makes it easy to conjugate: yo descanso, tú descansas, él descansa, nosotros descansamos, vosotros descansáis, ellos descansan. No stem changes or irregularities to worry about.