Sosegar can be translated as "to calm," "to quiet," "to soothe," or "to settle."
Meaning and Usage
Meaning: Sosegar refers to the action of calming down or quieting something or someone. It can apply to both people and situations.
Usage: In Spanish, sosegar is often used when talking about calming fears, soothing feelings, or settling disputes. It may also refer to making a noisy environment quieter.
Frequency of Use: The verb "sosegar" is moderate in frequency and is more commonly found in written contexts, particularly in literature and more formal communication.
Example Sentences
Sosegar a un niño asustado puede ser un reto para muchos padres.
Translation: Calming a scared child can be a challenge for many parents.
Es importante sosegar los ánimos en una discusión.
Translation: It is important to calm the tempers in a discussion.
El terapeuta intenta sosegar el miedo de sus pacientes.
Translation: The therapist tries to soothe the fear of his patients.
Idiomatic Expressions
Sosegar is not as prevalent in idiomatic expressions as other verbs may be; however, its semantically related forms can be involved in various phrases. Here are a few sentences using variations of the concept:
Tras el escándalo, el ambiente se sosegó y todos pudieron hablar con tranquilidad.
Translation: After the scandal, the atmosphere calmed down, and everyone could speak peacefully.
Es difícil sosegar a aquellos que están muy inquietos.
Translation: It is difficult to soothe those who are very restless.
La tarde de llanto y gritos terminó en un momento de sosegar absoluto.
Translation: The afternoon of crying and shouting ended in a moment of absolute calm.
El paisaje tranquilo a su alrededor le ayudó a sosegar sus pensamientos.
Translation: The tranquil landscape around him helped to calm his thoughts.
Etymology
The word sosegar originates from the Latin "subsecāre," which means "to make calm." The root suggests connotations of quietness and peace.