The word "halagar" is a verb.
/alaˈɡar/
In the Spanish language, "halagar" means to give compliments, praise, or show admiration toward someone, often with the intent of pleasing or winning favor. The term is commonly used both in spoken and written contexts, though it may appear more frequently in formal or literary texts due to its more eloquent connotation. Overall, it's a moderately frequent term in the Spanish language.
Su belleza siempre logra halagar a todos en la fiesta.
Her beauty always manages to charm everyone at the party.
Halagar a un cliente puede ser clave en el negocio.
Flattering a client can be key in business.
Me gusta halagar a mis amigos con palabras amables.
I like to flatter my friends with kind words.
While "halagar" itself may not be the base of many idiomatic expressions, it can be used in various contexts that convey the idea of flattery or praise.
Halagar a alguien
"Es importante halagar a los miembros del equipo para mantener alta la moral."
"It's important to flatter team members to keep morale high."
Halagar las orejas
"Siempre le gusta halagar las orejas de su jefe para conseguir ascensos."
"He always likes to flatter his boss's ears to get promotions."
Halagar y complacer
"No solo halagar y complacer, sino ser sincero en nuestros elogios."
"Not just to flatter and please, but to be sincere in our praise."
Cantar alabanzas
"Nunca está de más cantar alabanzas a quienes hacen un buen trabajo, aunque sea halagar."
"It's always worthwhile to sing praises to those who do good work, even if it's flattery."
The term "halagar" comes from the Latin word "allaudare," which means 'to praise' (composed of "ad-" meaning 'to' and "laudare" meaning 'to praise'). Its transformation into the modern Spanish "halagar" reflects a cultural emphasis on flattery and praise in social interactions.
Synonyms: - Elogiar (to praise) - Aplaudir (to applaud) - Alabar (to commend)
Antonyms: - Criticar (to criticize) - Reprochar (to reproach) - Desacreditar (to discredit)