consolar
verbCEFR B2
What does “consolar” mean in English?
to comfort, to console
to comfort, to console (consolar a alguien in grief; consolarse con — console oneself)
Example sentences
Sus compañeros de trabajo intentaron consolarlo después de que se conociera la noticia de su despido.
His colleagues tried to console him after the news of his dismissal became known.
No hay palabras que puedan consolar a una madre que acaba de perder a su hijo.
There are no words that can console a mother who has just lost her son.
Se consoló pensando que, aunque no obtuvo el primer puesto, su actuación había estado entre las mejores.
He consoled himself by thinking that, although he didn't get first place, his performance had been among the best.
How to use it
Consolar means 'to comfort', 'to console', or 'to console oneself'. The structure is consolar a alguien (comfort someone) or consolarse con algo (console oneself with something). The reflexive consolarse is common: 'se consoló con la idea de que había hecho todo lo posible' (she consoled herself with the idea that she had done everything possible). Don't confuse with animar (to cheer up/encourage — lighter, more energetic) or calmar (to calm down — addresses agitation rather than grief).
Common mistake
Consolar (to console/comfort — addressing grief or disappointment) vs. animar (to cheer up/encourage — lighter, forward-looking). If someone is grieving, consolar is the appropriate verb; if they need encouragement to try again, animar is better. Also: the noun consuelo (consolation) is high-frequency at B2: 'es un consuelo saber que no estás solo' (it is a consolation to know you are not alone).