reinar
verbCEFR B2
What does “reinar” mean in English?
to reign; to prevail
to reign; to prevail (reinar — literal monarch sense; figurative: reinar la calma/el caos — a state prevails)
Example sentences
Tras la firma del acuerdo de paz, reinó la calma en la región durante varios años.
After the peace agreement was signed, calm reigned in the region for several years.
Carlos III reinó durante más de cuatro décadas y transformó profundamente la sociedad española.
Charles III reigned for more than four decades and profoundly transformed Spanish society.
How to use it
Reinar means 'to reign' (monarchs) or 'to prevail/hold sway' (figurative). The figurative sense dominates at B2: reinó el caos (chaos reigned), reinó la calma (calm prevailed). Intransitive. Structure: reinar (entre/en + context).
Common mistake
Reinar (reign — literal or atmospheric) vs. gobernar (govern — exercise political power) vs. dominar (dominate — control). In figurative use, reinar describes a general prevailing atmosphere, not active political control.