01
entspannend
relaxing
Something that creates a feeling of relaxation and helps reduce stress and tension.
example
Ein warmes Bad nach einem langen Arbeitstag ist sehr entspannend.
A warm bath after a long day at work is very relaxing.
entspannend
relaxing
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
Usage tips
Word structure (present participle)
'Entspannend' (relaxing) is the present participle of the verb 'entspannen' (to relax). Adjectives that end in '-end' often describe an active quality: something is 'entspannend' (relaxing) because it causes relaxation in someone.
EXAMPLE
Ich finde einen Spaziergang im Wald sehr entspannend.
I find a walk in the forest very relaxing.
Word family
The word comes from the verb 'entspannen' (to relax). This is made up of 'ent-' (away) and 'spannen' (to tense). Something that is 'entspannend' (relaxing) therefore helps reduce tension or stress.
EXAMPLE
Yoga hat eine entspannende Wirkung auf Körper und Geist.
Yoga has a relaxing effect on body and mind.
Typical collocations
This adjective is often used to describe activities, places, or sensory impressions. Typical combinations are: 'eine entspannende Massage' (a relaxing massage), 'entspannende Musik' (relaxing music), or 'eine entspannende Atmosphäre' (a relaxing atmosphere).
EXAMPLE
Für den Abend habe ich eine entspannende Playlist zusammengestellt.
I put together a relaxing playlist for the evening.
Compare with
entspannend vs spannend
exciting
'spannend' and 'entspannend' look very similar, but they mean almost the opposite. Use 'spannend' when something is exciting or suspenseful and you stay curious about what will happen next. Use 'entspannend' when something makes you calm and reduces stress. Learners can easily confuse the words because only the prefix 'ent-' is added. A simple guide is: ein spannender Film (an exciting / suspenseful film) makes you alert and curious; entspannende Musik (relaxing music) makes you calm.
entspannend
Nach der Arbeit finde ich einen Spaziergang am Fluss sehr entspannend.
After work, I find a walk by the river very relaxing.
spannend
Die letzte Folge der Serie ist besonders spannend.
The last episode of the series is especially exciting.
In real life
Loading video examples...