verb

acostar

put to bed · go to bed · lie down · to go to bed

Poner a alguien o a uno mismo en una cama u otro lugar para dormir o descansar.

Definition & meaning

The verb acostar primarily means to put someone to bed or to lay them down in a horizontal position. It is frequently used when talking about putting children to sleep or assisting someone who is ill.

When used in its reflexive form, acostarse, it means to go to bed or to lie down for the purpose of resting or sleeping. In a colloquial context, the reflexive form followed by the preposition "con" (acostarse con) is a common way to say to have sexual relations with someone.

In a nautical context, acostar refers to the act of bringing a vessel alongside a pier, a dock, or another ship.

Grammar & Word origin

Acostar is a first-conjugation verb ending in -ar. It is a stem-changing verb, meaning the "o" in the root changes to "ue" in certain forms (e.g., yo acuesto, tú acuestas). This change occurs in the present indicative, present subjunctive, and the imperative, except for the "nosotros" and "vosotros" forms.

The word originates from the Vulgar Latin accostāre, which is derived from the Latin word costa, meaning "rib" or "side." Literally, the term means to bring something to the side or to put someone on their side.