The verb "ablandar" means to make something softer or less hard. It can refer to physical objects (like food) or be used metaphorically to refer to emotions or attitudes (e.g., to soften a person's heart). The term is commonly used across various contexts, including culinary (softening food) and emotional (trying to change someone’s feelings).
El cocinero necesita ablandar la carne antes de cocinarla.
The chef needs to soften the meat before cooking it.
Es difícil ablandar su corazón después de lo que pasó.
It is hard to soften his heart after what happened.
Puedes ablandar la mantequilla dejándola a temperatura ambiente.
You can soften the butter by leaving it at room temperature.
While "ablandar" itself is not often found in idiomatic expressions, it is related to a few phrases that convey the idea of changing someone's emotions or attitudes. Here are some relevant examples:
Translation: He tried to soften his father's heart with kind words.
Ablandar las tensiones
Translation: It is important to ease the tensions between the two groups to reach an agreement.
Ablandar la situación
The word "ablandar" originates from the Latin "ablāndāre," which means "to make soft." This Latin term combines "ad-" (to) and "blandus" (soft, charming, or gentle).