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verbverb

halagar

flatter

Decir cosas buenas a una persona para que se sienta bien o contenta.

Definition & meaning

Halagar is a Spanish verb meaning:

  • To flatter someone, often by giving praise intended to please them. Depending on context, the praise may be sincere or insincere.
  • To praise or compliment someone.
  • To please, delight, or gratify someone or something, especially by appealing to their pride, senses, or preferences.

For example, Sus palabras halagaron mi orgullo means “His words flattered my pride.”

Grammar & Word origin

Halagar is a regular transitive verb ending in -ar. Its present-tense first-person form is halago (“I flatter” or “I please”), and its past-tense first-person form is halagué. The spelling changes from g to gu before e to preserve the hard “g” sound.

The related noun is halago , meaning “flattery,” “compliment,” or “pleasure.” The word’s deeper origin is uncertain.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms include:

  • adular — “to flatter,” often with a stronger suggestion of excessive or self-serving praise.
  • lisonjear — “to flatter” or “to pay pleasing compliments,” often with an insincere tone.
  • elogiar — “to praise”; more neutral and focused on expressing approval.
  • alabar — “to praise” or “to commend,” usually more direct and sincere.
  • complacer — “to please” or “to satisfy,” emphasizing the effect on someone rather than praise.

Possible antonyms depend on the sense:

  • ofender — “to offend,” the opposite when halagar means to please or flatter.
  • desagradar — “to displease,” the opposite when referring to giving pleasure.
  • criticar — “to criticize,” contrasting with praising someone.

Common phrases & collocations

  • halagar a alguien — to flatter or please someone.
  • halagar el orgullo de alguien — to flatter someone’s pride.
  • halagar la vanidad de alguien — to appeal to someone’s vanity.
  • halagar el oído — literally “to flatter the ear”; to sound especially pleasing or persuasive.

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Examples

Me halagó con tantos cumplidos sinceros.verb

He flattered me with so many sincere compliments.

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