sich entspannen
to relax
To recover, calm down, and reduce physical or mental tension.
EXAMPLE
Nach einem langen Arbeitstag entspanne ich mich gerne mit einem guten Buch.
After a long day at work, I like to relax with a good book.
entspannen
to relax
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Meanings
entspannen
to ease
To loosen something that is tense (e.g., muscles) or to calm a tense situation.
EXAMPLE
Ein Witz half, die angespannte Atmosphäre im Raum zu entspannen.
A joke helped ease the tense atmosphere in the room.
Usage tips
Word structure
The verb consists of the prefix 'ent-' and the stem 'spannen' (to tense/stretch). The prefix 'ent-' often means the opposite or the removal of something. Since 'spannen' means 'anspannen' (to tense), 'entspannen' literally means 'to take away tension'.
EXAMPLE
Eine Massage kann helfen, verspannte Muskeln zu entspannen.
A massage can help relax tense muscles.
Reflexive vs. transitive
Pay attention to the difference: 'sich entspannen' (to relax) is reflexive and means that a person calms down. 'Etwas entspannen' (to ease/relax something) is transitive and means that you loosen a thing or ease a situation.
EXAMPLE
Ich entspanne mich am Abend gerne auf dem Sofa.
I like to relax on the sofa in the evening.
Typical collocations
When someone relaxes, the way they do it is often stated with the prepositions 'bei' (while/during) or 'mit' (with). Typical phrases are 'sich bei einem Spaziergang entspannen' (to relax during a walk) or 'sich mit Musik entspannen' (to relax with music).
EXAMPLE
Am Wochenende entspanne ich mich am liebsten bei der Gartenarbeit.
On the weekend, I most like to relax by gardening.
Literal and figurative
When 'entspannen' (to ease/relax) has an object, that object can be literal, such as 'die Muskeln' (the muscles) or 'die Hand' (the hand). But it can also be used figuratively, for example 'die Lage' (the situation), 'die Atmosphäre' (the atmosphere), or 'die Beziehungen' (the relations).
EXAMPLE
Der Mediator versuchte, die angespannte Lage zwischen den Parteien zu entspannen.
The mediator tried to ease the tense situation between the parties.
Compare with
entspannen vs erholen
to recover
Sich entspannen primarily means reducing physical or mental tension and calming down. Sich erholen places greater emphasis on regaining strength and well-being after exertion, illness, or a shock. Use entspannen for a short period of rest, and erholen when the focus is on recovery.
entspannen
Nach dem stressigen Arbeitstag entspanne ich mich eine Stunde bei ruhiger Musik.
After a stressful day at work, I relax for an hour while listening to quiet music.
erholen
Nach mehreren anstrengenden Arbeitstagen erhole ich mich am Wochenende und komme wieder zu Kräften.
After several exhausting days at work, I recover over the weekend and regain my strength.
In real life
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