At the A1 level, you are just beginning your journey with Spanish. While 'reconciliar' might seem like a big word, it is very similar to the English word 'reconcile.' You can think of it as a way to say 'to be friends again.' At this stage, you don't need to worry about complex political uses. Instead, focus on the idea of two people who were angry and now are happy with each other. You might use it in very simple sentences with 'querer' (to want) or 'necesitar' (to need). For example, 'Yo quiero reconciliarme con mi amigo.' (I want to reconcile with my friend). The most important thing for an A1 learner is to recognize the word when you see it and understand that it is about making peace. You should also notice the 'se' at the end of 'reconciliarse,' which means the action is happening between the people themselves. Don't worry if you forget the 'se' sometimes; people will still understand you, but try to remember it as part of the 'making up' process. Think of it as 'repairing' a friendship. Just like you repair a toy, you 'reconciliar' a friendship.
At the A2 level, you can start using 'reconciliar' in more varied ways. You now know more about verbs and how they change. You should practice using the reflexive form 'reconciliarse' because that is how most Spanish speakers use it when talking about friends and family. You can also start using the preposition 'con' (with). For example, 'Ella se reconcilió con su hermana.' (She reconciled with her sister). At this level, you can describe simple past events using the preterite tense ('se reconciliaron') or future plans using 'ir a' ('van a reconciliarse'). You might also encounter this word in stories or simple news articles about people solving their problems. It is a great word to use when you want to sound a bit more advanced than just saying 'estar bien' (to be okay). It shows you understand the process of moving from a fight to a peaceful state. Remember to use the 'a' when you are the one bringing two other people together: 'Yo reconcilié a mis padres.' This is called the 'personal a' and it's a key part of A2 grammar.
At the B1 level, you are becoming more comfortable with expressing feelings and opinions. This is where 'reconciliar' becomes very useful for discussing relationships in more depth. You can use it in the subjunctive mood to express hopes or suggestions: 'Espero que ellos se reconcilien pronto' (I hope they reconcile soon). You can also use it to talk about abstract ideas, not just people. For example, you might talk about 'reconciliar el trabajo y la familia' (reconciling work and family). This level requires you to understand the difference between 'reconciliar' and its synonyms like 'hacer las paces' or 'perdonar.' You should be able to explain *why* someone needs to reconcile. You will also start to see the noun form 'reconciliación' in more complex texts. Your goal at B1 is to use the word naturally in conversation to describe the resolution of conflicts, whether they are personal or slightly more professional. You should also be aware of the different tenses, like the imperfect ('se reconciliaban') when describing a process that used to happen or was happening in the past.
At the B2 level, you should be able to use 'reconciliar' in formal and professional contexts. You will encounter it in news reports about international diplomacy or legal settlements. You should understand the nuance of 'reconciliar posturas' (reconciling positions) in a debate. At this stage, your vocabulary should include related words like 'irreconciliable' (irreconcilable) to describe differences that cannot be fixed. You can use 'reconciliar' in complex sentence structures, such as conditional sentences: 'Si no reconcilian sus intereses, la empresa fracasará' (If they don't reconcile their interests, the company will fail). You are also expected to use the word with more precision, choosing it over 'arreglar' or 'unir' when the context specifically involves restoring harmony or resolving a contradiction. You should be comfortable using the passive voice ('fueron reconciliados') and understand how the word functions in more literary or academic texts. This is the level where you move from just 'making up' to 'harmonizing complex systems and ideas.'
At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the word's connotations and its place in the Spanish language. you can use 'reconciliar' to discuss philosophical or ethical dilemmas with ease. For example, you might analyze how a character in a novel tries to 'reconciliar su pasado con su presente' (reconcile their past with their present). You understand the historical and cultural weight of the word, especially in the context of 'Comisiones de la Verdad y Reconciliación' (Truth and Reconciliation Commissions) in various Spanish-speaking countries. You can use the word idiomatically and understand its use in high-level journalism and academic writing. Your usage should be flawless, including the correct use of prepositions, reflexive pronouns, and the 'personal a.' You can also explore the poetic uses of the word, such as 'reconciliarse con el destino' (to reconcile oneself with fate). At C1, 'reconciliar' is not just a verb; it's a tool for complex analysis and sophisticated expression of human experience.
At the C2 level, you possess a native-like mastery of 'reconciliar.' You can use it with total precision in any context, from a casual chat to a formal dissertation. You understand the most subtle nuances, such as the difference between 'reconciliar' and 'conciliar' (the latter is often used specifically for sleep or for bringing things into agreement without necessarily implying a prior conflict). You can use 'reconciliar' to craft persuasive arguments, using it to bridge opposing viewpoints in a sophisticated manner. You are familiar with the word's etymology and how it has evolved in the Spanish language. You can interpret and use the word in legal, theological, and highly technical financial contexts without hesitation. Your ability to use 'reconciliar' in a variety of registers—slang, informal, formal, and poetic—is complete. You can also recognize and use rare or archaic forms and derivatives of the word if they appear in classical literature. At this level, the word is a seamless part of your linguistic repertoire, used to express the finest shades of meaning regarding harmony and resolution.

reconciliar in 30 Sekunden

  • Reconciliar is a Spanish verb meaning to restore harmony or make peace between people or conflicting ideas.
  • It is commonly used reflexively as 'reconciliarse' when individuals make up with each other.
  • The word is a cognate of the English 'reconcile,' making it easy for English speakers to remember.
  • It applies to personal relationships, financial accounts, and complex philosophical or political ideologies.
The Spanish verb reconciliar is a sophisticated yet accessible term that primarily describes the act of restoring harmony, friendship, or peace after a period of conflict, disagreement, or estrangement. At its core, it is about bringing two opposing sides back into a state of agreement. While it is frequently used in the context of personal relationships—such as two friends who had a falling out or a couple trying to save their marriage—it also carries significant weight in diplomatic, political, and even financial contexts. In everyday Spanish, you will often encounter the reflexive form, reconciliarse, which emphasizes the mutual action of the parties involved. For English speakers, this word is a 'true cognate' because it looks and behaves very similarly to the English word 'reconcile,' making it an easy addition to your vocabulary.
Interpersonal Context
This is the most common usage, referring to friends or family members who decide to stop fighting and return to being on good terms. It implies a process of forgiveness and moving past previous grievances.

Después de meses de silencio, los hermanos decidieron reconciliar sus diferencias por el bien de la familia.

Beyond people, the word can also be applied to abstract concepts. For example, one might struggle to reconcile their personal desires with their professional obligations. This usage highlights the versatility of the verb as it moves from the tangible world of human emotions to the intangible world of logic and ethics.
Political and Social Context
In nations recovering from civil unrest or systemic injustice, 'reconciliar' is used to describe the broad social effort to heal wounds and build a unified future. It is a key term in human rights and peace building.

Es difícil reconciliar la libertad individual con la seguridad colectiva en tiempos de crisis.

In financial or accounting terms, 'reconciliar' refers to the process of ensuring that two sets of records (like a bank statement and a checkbook) are in agreement. This demonstrates that the word is not just about emotions but also about accuracy and consistency.
Technical Usage
In accounting, you 'reconciliar' accounts to ensure that every cent is accounted for and that there are no discrepancies between different financial reports.

El contador pasó toda la noche tratando de reconciliar las cuentas bancarias de la empresa.

Understanding the nuances of this word allows you to navigate complex social situations in Spanish with more precision. Whether you are talking about a broken friendship or a complex political situation, 'reconciliar' provides the necessary depth to express the restoration of balance.

La mediadora logró reconciliar a las dos partes en conflicto antes de que el juicio comenzara.

Ultimately, 'reconciliar' is a word of hope. It suggests that no matter how deep a divide may be, there is always a path back to understanding and cooperation. It is a vital verb for any learner who wishes to discuss human relationships, ethics, or professional management in a nuanced way.
Using reconciliar correctly requires an understanding of its transitivity and its reflexive forms. As a transitive verb, 'reconciliar' takes a direct object—the people or things being brought together. For example, 'El padre reconcilió a sus hijos' (The father reconciled his children). Here, the father is the agent performing the action upon his children. However, the most frequent usage in conversational Spanish is the reflexive form, reconciliarse. In this case, the subjects are performing the action on themselves or each other. 'Ellos se reconciliaron' means 'They reconciled (with each other).'
The Preposition 'Con'
Whenever you use the reflexive form to specify who someone is reconciling with, you must use the preposition 'con'. Example: 'Juan se reconcilió con su novia.'

Después de la gran pelea, Pedro finalmente se decidió a reconciliarse con su mejor amigo.

Another important aspect of using this verb is its tense and mood. In the past tense (preterite), it often signifies a definitive moment of resolution: 'Se reconciliaron ayer' (They reconciled yesterday). In the subjunctive mood, it often appears in expressions of desire or doubt: 'Espero que se reconcilien pronto' (I hope they reconcile soon). This is crucial for A2 and B1 learners who are starting to express emotions and wishes.
Abstract Usage
When dealing with ideas, 'reconciliar' doesn't usually take the reflexive form. You 'reconcile' ideas, not 'reconcile yourself' with them, unless you mean you are coming to terms with a fact.

Debemos reconciliar nuestra necesidad de crecimiento económico con la protección del medio ambiente.

¿Crees que sea posible reconciliar estas dos teorías científicas tan opuestas?

In more formal writing, you might see the passive voice used with this verb: 'Las partes fueron reconciliadas por un mediador externo.' This shifts the focus from the act of reconciling to the fact that harmony was achieved through an outside force. For learners, mastering the transition between 'reconciliar' (to bring others together) and 'reconciliarse' (to make up with someone) is the key to sounding natural.
Common Collocations
Commonly paired with 'posturas' (positions), 'diferencias' (differences), 'intereses' (interests), and 'enemigos' (enemies).

Intentó reconciliar sus creencias religiosas con los descubrimientos de la ciencia moderna.

Finally, remember that 'reconciliar' implies a prior state of unity. You cannot reconcile things that were never together or in agreement to begin with. It is a verb of restoration, not just creation. This nuance is important when choosing between 'reconciliar' and words like 'unir' (to unite) or 'conectar' (to connect).
You will hear reconciliar in a variety of settings, ranging from the very private to the highly public. In the private sphere, it is a staple of family discussions and romantic dramas. If you watch a Spanish-language 'telenovela,' you are almost guaranteed to hear this word. Characters will spend episodes fighting only to eventually 'reconciliarse' in a climactic scene. This makes it a high-frequency word in emotional storytelling.
In the Media
News reports often use this word when discussing peace talks, labor disputes, or political alliances. It conveys a sense of formal resolution and the end of hostilities.

El gobierno y los sindicatos están tratando de reconciliar sus posturas sobre el salario mínimo.

In the workplace, 'reconciliar' is used in meetings where different departments have conflicting goals. A manager might say, 'Tenemos que reconciliar los presupuestos de marketing y ventas.' This implies a practical, problem-solving approach to conflict.

Es imposible reconciliar el sueño cuando uno tiene tantas preocupaciones en la cabeza.

Interestingly, you might also hear it in a religious context. In the Catholic Church, for instance, the Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession) is a central practice. While secular speakers use the word for social peace, religious speakers use it for the restoration of the relationship between a person and God. This dual usage—secular and sacred—gives the word a profound depth in Spanish-speaking cultures.
Academic and Philosophical Discourse
In universities, you'll hear professors talk about reconciling different historical accounts or philosophical theories that seem to contradict each other.

El autor busca reconciliar la tradición con la modernidad en su última novela.

Socially, if you are at a party and someone mentions that two mutual friends 'se reconciliaron,' it is usually considered good news. It is a word associated with relief and the lowering of social tension. In summary, whether you are reading the news, watching a drama, or working in an office, 'reconciliar' is a word that describes the vital process of making things right again.

¿Cómo podemos reconciliar el derecho a la privacidad con la necesidad de vigilancia?

By recognizing 'reconciliar' in these diverse contexts, you will begin to see it as more than just a translation of 'reconcile,' but as a fundamental concept in Spanish communication.
Even though reconciliar is a cognate, English speakers often make specific errors when using it in Spanish. The most frequent mistake is omitting the reflexive pronoun 'se' when it is needed. In English, we say 'They reconciled,' but in Spanish, 'Ellos reconciliaron' is incomplete; it sounds like they reconciled something else (like a bank account) rather than each other. You must say 'Ellos se reconciliaron' to indicate the mutual action.
The 'Personal A'
When 'reconciliar' is used transitively with people, don't forget the personal 'a'. Correct: 'Reconcilió a sus amigos'. Incorrect: 'Reconcilió sus amigos'.

Es un error común olvidar el 'se' en la frase: 'Ellos decidieron reconciliarse'.

Another common error is using the wrong preposition. English speakers might be tempted to use 'con' even when the verb isn't reflexive, or they might try to use 'a' when they should use 'con'. Remember the rule: if you are reconciling *yourself* with someone, use 'reconciliarse con'. If you are reconciling *two other people*, use 'reconciliar a A con B'.

No es lo mismo reconciliar una cuenta que reconciliarse con un enemigo del pasado.

Confusion also arises with the word 'arreglar' (to fix/arrange). While you can 'arreglar un problema' (fix a problem), 'reconciliar' is specifically for restoring relationships or bringing conflicting ideas into harmony. Using 'arreglar' for people can sometimes sound a bit too mechanical or informal depending on the context.
Overuse of Formal Tone
While 'reconciliar' is common, in very informal settings, speakers might prefer 'hacer las paces'. Overusing 'reconciliar' in a casual chat with friends might sound slightly formal.

A veces, es mejor decir 'hacer las paces' en lugar de reconciliar si estamos con amigos.

Lastly, be careful with the spelling. Some learners add an extra 'l' or 'c' because of the English spelling 'reconcile'. In Spanish, it is strictly 'reconciliar'. Also, notice that the stress is on the last syllable 'ar' because it is an infinitive.

El estudiante cometió un error al escribir reconciliar con doble 'c' por influencia del inglés.

By avoiding these pitfalls—forgetting the reflexive, missing the personal 'a', using the wrong preposition, or misspelling—you will use 'reconciliar' like a native speaker.
Spanish offers several alternatives to reconciliar, each with its own nuance and level of formality. Understanding these can help you choose the right word for the right situation. The most common informal alternative is 'hacer las paces'. This literally means 'to make the peaces' and is used exactly like 'to make up' in English. It is the go-to phrase for children, friends, and family members.
Reconciliar vs. Hacer las paces
'Reconciliar' is more formal and can apply to ideas or accounts. 'Hacer las paces' is almost exclusively for people and is very common in daily conversation.

Los niños se pelearon por un juguete, pero pronto hicieron las paces sin necesidad de reconciliar sus posturas.

Another interesting alternative is 'limar asperezas'. This idiomatic expression literally means 'to file down the rough edges.' It is used when two people or groups decide to work through their minor disagreements to reach a better understanding. It is slightly more sophisticated than 'hacer las paces' but less formal than 'reconciliar'.

Antes de la reunión, los gerentes se reunieron para limar asperezas y reconciliar sus planes.

For more technical or abstract contexts, you might use 'armonizar' (to harmonize) or 'compatibilizar' (to make compatible). These are great when you are talking about schedules, laws, or technical systems rather than people. For example, 'Es difícil compatibilizar el trabajo con la vida familiar.'
Reconciliar vs. Armonizar
'Armonizar' suggests creating a pleasing blend, while 'reconciliar' suggests fixing a specific conflict or discrepancy.

El arquitecto buscaba armonizar el nuevo edificio con el entorno, tratando de reconciliar el acero con la naturaleza.

In Argentina and some other parts of the Southern Cone, you might hear 'amigarse.' This is a very colloquial way of saying 'to become friends again.' It captures the warmth of returning to a state of friendship.

Después de estar enojados todo el día, los primos por fin se amigaron y pudieron reconciliar su juego.

Lastly, 'perdonar' (to forgive) is often a prerequisite for reconciliation, but they are not the same. You can forgive someone without reconciling with them (choosing not to restore the relationship). 'Reconciliar' always implies a coming together, whereas 'perdonar' is an internal act of letting go of resentment.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The root 'concilium' (council) is related to 'calare' (to call), suggesting that reconciliation originally involved calling people together into a council to solve problems.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /re.kon.θilˈjaɾ/
US /re.kon.silˈjaɾ/
The primary stress is on the last syllable: re-con-ci-LIAR.
Reimt sich auf
Hablar Cantar Amar Llegar Pensar Mirar Trabajar Esperar
Häufige Fehler
  • Pronouncing the 'c' as a 'k' sound (it's always 's' or 'th' before 'i').
  • Putting the stress on the second-to-last syllable like in English 'reconcile'.
  • Adding a 'u' sound after the 'c' (it's not 'reconcuiliar').
  • Mispronouncing the 'll' (note: it's only one 'l' in Spanish).
  • Forgetting to tap the 'r' at the end.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

Easy to recognize because it is a cognate of 'reconcile'.

Schreiben 3/5

Requires remembering the reflexive 'se' and the single 'c' spelling.

Sprechen 3/5

The 'liar' ending can be tricky for some English speakers to pronounce smoothly.

Hören 2/5

Clear pronunciation makes it relatively easy to hear in context.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

Amigo Pelea Perdón Paz Hablar

Als Nächstes lernen

Armonizar Mediar Resolver Acordar Disculparse

Fortgeschritten

Divergencia Consenso Antagonismo Sinergia Concordia

Wichtige Grammatik

Reflexive Verbs

Se reconcilian (They reconcile with each other).

Personal 'a'

Reconcilió a sus tíos.

Preposition 'con'

Me reconcilié con ella.

Subjunctive for emotions

Me gusta que se reconcilien.

Infinitive as noun

El reconciliarse es necesario.

Beispiele nach Niveau

1

Quiero reconciliarme con mi amigo.

I want to reconcile with my friend.

Use 'reconciliarse' + 'con' for people.

2

Ellos se reconciliaron hoy.

They reconciled today.

Preterite tense for a completed action.

3

Es bueno reconciliarse.

It is good to reconcile.

Infinitive form after 'es bueno'.

4

¿Quieres reconciliarte?

Do you want to reconcile?

Reflexive pronoun 'te' matches 'tú'.

5

Mi mamá nos reconcilió.

My mom reconciled us.

Transitive use: mom is the subject, 'nos' is the object.

6

Vamos a reconciliarnos pronto.

We are going to reconcile soon.

Future with 'ir a'.

7

No es fácil reconciliarse.

It is not easy to reconcile.

Negative sentence with 'no'.

8

Ellas son amigas y se reconcilian.

They are friends and they reconcile.

Present tense.

1

Juan se reconcilió con su hermano ayer por la tarde.

Juan reconciled with his brother yesterday afternoon.

Reflexive 'se' + 'con' + person.

2

La maestra reconcilió a los dos estudiantes peleados.

The teacher reconciled the two fighting students.

Personal 'a' used for the students.

3

¿Crees que ellos se van a reconciliar después de la fiesta?

Do you think they are going to reconcile after the party?

Question with future 'ir a'.

4

Ella necesita reconciliar sus gastos con su presupuesto.

She needs to reconcile her expenses with her budget.

Abstract usage with financial terms.

5

Nosotros nos reconciliamos porque nos queremos mucho.

We reconciled because we love each other a lot.

Reflexive 'nos' with 'nosotros'.

6

Es importante reconciliarse antes de dormir.

It is important to reconcile before sleeping.

Infinitive after 'es importante'.

7

Mis primos se reconciliaron gracias a mi abuela.

My cousins reconciled thanks to my grandmother.

Using 'gracias a' for the cause.

8

Nunca es tarde para reconciliarse con el pasado.

It is never too late to reconcile with the past.

Metaphorical use of 'pasado'.

1

Espero que mi hermano y yo nos reconciliemos en Navidad.

I hope my brother and I reconcile at Christmas.

Present subjunctive 'reconciliemos' after 'espero que'.

2

Fue difícil reconciliar las opiniones de todo el equipo.

It was difficult to reconcile the opinions of the whole team.

Using 'reconciliar' for abstract ideas.

3

Si se reconciliaran, todos estaríamos más tranquilos.

If they reconciled, we would all be calmer.

Imperfect subjunctive 'reconciliaran' in a conditional.

4

El mediador intentó reconciliar a las dos empresas en conflicto.

The mediator tried to reconcile the two companies in conflict.

Transitive use with 'a' for corporate entities.

5

Me alegra que por fin te hayas reconciliado con tu jefe.

I'm glad you finally reconciled with your boss.

Present perfect subjunctive after 'me alegra que'.

6

Para ser feliz, hay que reconciliar lo que uno dice con lo que hace.

To be happy, one must reconcile what one says with what one does.

Using 'reconciliar' for personal integrity.

7

A pesar de todo, ellos decidieron reconciliarse y empezar de nuevo.

Despite everything, they decided to reconcile and start over.

Using 'a pesar de' to show contrast.

8

¿Cómo podemos reconciliar el desarrollo con la ecología?

How can we reconcile development with ecology?

Question about complex societal issues.

1

El gobierno busca reconciliar a los sectores opuestos de la sociedad.

The government seeks to reconcile the opposing sectors of society.

Formal usage in a political context.

2

Es fundamental reconciliar la vida laboral con la familiar para evitar el estrés.

It is fundamental to reconcile work and family life to avoid stress.

Abstract usage regarding lifestyle balance.

3

Tras años de guerra, el tratado de paz permitió reconciliar a las naciones.

After years of war, the peace treaty allowed for the reconciliation of the nations.

Historical/Formal usage.

4

No siempre es posible reconciliar intereses económicos tan divergentes.

It is not always possible to reconcile such divergent economic interests.

Use of 'divergentes' to describe conflict.

5

Se reconciliaron bajo la condición de que no volvieran a mentir.

They reconciled on the condition that they would not lie again.

Using 'bajo la condición de que' + subjunctive.

6

El filósofo intenta reconciliar la fe con la razón en su obra.

The philosopher tries to reconcile faith with reason in his work.

Academic/Philosophical context.

7

La empresa debe reconciliar sus cuentas antes del fin del trimestre.

The company must reconcile its accounts before the end of the quarter.

Financial/Accounting context.

8

Había reconciliado sus miedos internos antes de tomar la gran decisión.

He had reconciled his internal fears before making the big decision.

Past perfect tense for internal process.

1

La Comisión de la Verdad trabajó para reconciliar a un país dividido por el conflicto.

The Truth Commission worked to reconcile a country divided by conflict.

Specific historical/political terminology.

2

Resulta arduo reconciliar la libertad individual con la seguridad del Estado.

It is arduous to reconcile individual liberty with State security.

High-level political philosophy.

3

El autor logra reconciliar la tradición oral con la narrativa moderna.

The author manages to reconcile oral tradition with modern narrative.

Literary analysis context.

4

Sería ingenuo pensar que se pueden reconciliar posturas tan antagónicas.

It would be naive to think that such antagonistic positions can be reconciled.

Use of 'antagónicas' and conditional 'sería'.

5

Se requiere una gran madurez para reconciliarse con los propios fracasos.

A great deal of maturity is required to reconcile oneself with one's own failures.

Reflexive use for self-acceptance.

6

El diplomático fue elogiado por su habilidad para reconciliar a los bandos enfrentados.

The diplomat was praised for his ability to reconcile the clashing sides.

Passive voice 'fue elogiado'.

7

La nueva ley intenta reconciliar los derechos de autor con el libre acceso a la información.

The new law attempts to reconcile copyright with free access to information.

Legal/Policy context.

8

Es imperativo reconciliar nuestra huella de carbono con la salud del planeta.

It is imperative to reconcile our carbon footprint with the health of the planet.

Environmental/Scientific context.

1

La dialéctica hegeliana busca reconciliar la tesis y la antítesis en una síntesis superior.

Hegelian dialectics seeks to reconcile the thesis and antithesis into a superior synthesis.

Highly specialized philosophical terminology.

2

Aquel místico pretendía reconciliar la finitud humana con la infinitud divina.

That mystic intended to reconcile human finitude with divine infinitude.

Theological/Metaphysical context.

3

La jurisprudencia actual lucha por reconciliar el 'derecho al olvido' con la transparencia informativa.

Current jurisprudence struggles to reconcile the 'right to be forgotten' with informational transparency.

Advanced legal terminology.

4

Sus esfuerzos por reconciliar la ética con el lucro cesante resultaron infructuosos.

His efforts to reconcile ethics with lost profits proved fruitless.

Technical economic/legal terms like 'lucro cesante'.

5

El ensayo explora cómo la posmodernidad intenta reconciliar fragmentos de identidades dispersas.

The essay explores how postmodernity attempts to reconcile fragments of dispersed identities.

Sociological/Cultural theory context.

6

La música de este compositor reconcilia la disonancia más cruda con la melodía más pura.

This composer's music reconciles the rawest dissonance with the purest melody.

Musicology context.

7

Resulta quijotesco intentar reconciliar la política partidista con el bien común absoluto.

It is Quixotic to attempt to reconcile partisan politics with the absolute common good.

Use of 'quijotesco' as an advanced adjective.

8

Solo mediante un diálogo profundo se podrán reconciliar las heridas históricas de la nación.

Only through deep dialogue can the nation's historical wounds be reconciled.

Metaphorical use in high-level sociopolitical discourse.

Häufige Kollokationen

Reconciliar posturas
Reconciliar el sueño
Reconciliar diferencias
Reconciliar intereses
Reconciliar cuentas
Reconciliarse con el pasado
Reconciliarse con Dios
Reconciliar teorías
Reconciliar a las partes
Reconciliar la vida familiar

Häufige Phrasen

Borrar y cuenta nueva

— To start over with a clean slate after reconciling.

Hagamos borra y cuenta nueva y reconciliémonos.

Hacer las paces

— The standard informal way to say 'to reconcile'.

Es mejor hacer las paces que estar enojados.

Fumar la pipa de la paz

— To settle a conflict (literally 'smoke the peace pipe').

Por fin fumaron la pipa de la paz.

Enterrar el hacha de guerra

— To stop fighting (literally 'bury the war axe').

Decidieron enterrar el hacha de guerra y reconciliarse.

Volver a las andadas

— To return to old (bad) habits, often used when reconciliation fails.

Se reconciliaron, pero él volvió a las andadas.

Dar el primer paso

— To be the one to initiate a reconciliation.

Alguien tiene que dar el primer paso para reconciliarse.

Estar a partir un piñón

— To be very close and in perfect harmony (often after a reconciliation).

Ahora están a partir un piñón.

Tender puentes

— To try to connect or reconcile different sides.

El líder intentó tender puentes entre los grupos.

Cerrar heridas

— To heal the emotional pain after a conflict.

La reconciliación ayudó a cerrar heridas.

Ponerse de acuerdo

— To reach an agreement, a key part of reconciling.

Necesitamos ponernos de acuerdo para reconciliarnos.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

reconciliar vs Conciliar

Often used for 'reconciling' sleep (conciliar el sueño) or making things compatible, while 'reconciliar' implies fixing a conflict.

reconciliar vs Reconocer

Means 'to recognize'. Learners confuse it because it also starts with 're-con-'.

reconciliar vs Recordar

Means 'to remember'. Similar starting letters but unrelated meaning.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"Limar asperezas"

— To resolve small differences to improve a relationship.

Tuvieron que limar asperezas antes de trabajar juntos.

Professional/Neutral
"Hacer borrón y cuenta nueva"

— To forget the past and start a relationship fresh.

Después de la pelea, hicieron borrón y cuenta nueva.

Informal
"Fumar la pipa de la paz"

— To formally or informally end a conflict.

Los vecinos por fin fumaron la pipa de la paz.

Idiomatic
"Tender la mano"

— To offer a gesture of peace or help to an enemy.

Le tendió la mano para reconciliarse.

Neutral
"Bajar la guardia"

— To stop being defensive, allowing for reconciliation.

Ella bajó la guardia y aceptó reconciliarse.

Informal
"Partir de cero"

— To start from scratch in a relationship.

Queremos reconciliarnos y partir de cero.

Neutral
"Coser y cantar"

— Sometimes used to describe an easy reconciliation (though rare).

Reconciliarse con él fue coser y cantar.

Colloquial
"No llegar la sangre al río"

— When a fight is resolved before it gets too serious.

Se pelearon, pero por suerte no llegó la sangre al río.

Idiomatic
"Dar el brazo a torcer"

— To yield or give in, often necessary for reconciliation.

Ninguno quería dar el brazo a torcer.

Idiomatic
"Hacer de tripas corazón"

— To pluck up courage or suppress feelings to do something difficult, like reconciling.

Hizo de tripas corazón y le pidió perdón.

Idiomatic

Leicht verwechselbar

reconciliar vs Conciliar

They share the same root and sound very similar.

Conciliar is used for sleep or for bringing things into agreement without a prior fight. Reconciliar specifically suggests restoring a broken bond.

No puedo conciliar el sueño vs. Quiero reconciliarme con mi ex.

reconciliar vs Arreglar

Both mean to fix something.

Arreglar is general (fix a car, fix a room). Reconciliar is specific to harmony and relationships.

Arreglé la mesa vs. Reconcilié a mis amigos.

reconciliar vs Unir

Both involve bringing things together.

Unir is just joining. Reconciliar is joining things that were previously separated by conflict.

Une los puntos vs. Reconcilia tus diferencias.

reconciliar vs Perdonar

Often happen at the same time.

Perdonar is to let go of anger (internal). Reconciliar is to restore the relationship (external/mutual).

Te perdono, pero no quiero reconciliarme contigo.

reconciliar vs Mediar

Mediation leads to reconciliation.

Mediar is the action of the third party helping. Reconciliar is the result of that help.

El juez va a mediar para que ellos puedan reconciliarse.

Satzmuster

A1

[Subject] quiere reconciliarse.

Ana quiere reconciliarse.

A2

[Subject] se reconcilió con [Person].

Pedro se reconcilió con Luis.

B1

Espero que [Subject] se reconcilien.

Espero que ellos se reconcilien.

B2

Es difícil reconciliar [Idea A] con [Idea B].

Es difícil reconciliar la fe con la ciencia.

C1

A pesar de [Obstacle], lograron reconciliarse.

A pesar del odio, lograron reconciliarse.

C1

[Noun] de reconciliación es vital.

El proceso de reconciliación es vital.

C2

Resulta imperativo reconciliar [Concept A] y [Concept B].

Resulta imperativo reconciliar la ética y el mercado.

C2

La obra busca reconciliar [Nuance].

La obra busca reconciliar la soledad con la multitud.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

Reconciliación (Reconciliation)
Reconciliador (Reconciler - person)

Verben

Reconciliar (To reconcile)
Reconciliarse (To reconcile oneself/each other)

Adjektive

Reconciliable (Reconcilable)
Irreconciliable (Irreconcilable)
Reconciliador (Reconciling - e.g., a reconciling gesture)

Verwandt

Conciliar
Conciliación
Amistad
Paz
Perdón

So verwendest du es

frequency

Common in both speech and writing, especially in news and drama.

Häufige Fehler
  • Ellos reconciliaron. Ellos se reconciliaron.

    Without the reflexive 'se', the sentence feels incomplete. It sounds like they reconciled something else, not themselves.

  • Reconcilié mis hermanos. Reconcilié a mis hermanos.

    When the direct object of a verb is a specific person, you must use the 'personal a' in Spanish.

  • Me reconcilié mi amigo. Me reconcilié con mi amigo.

    The verb 'reconciliarse' requires the preposition 'con' to connect to the person you are making up with.

  • Es difícil reconciliar la cuenta. Es difícil conciliar la cuenta.

    While 'reconciliar' is used, in pure accounting, 'conciliar' is often preferred. However, 'reconciliar' is not strictly wrong.

  • Reconciliarse el sueño. Conciliar el sueño.

    The standard idiom for falling asleep is 'conciliar el sueño', not 'reconciliar'.

Tipps

Don't forget the 'se'

If you are talking about people making up, 90% of the time you need the reflexive 'se'. 'Ellos se reconciliaron' is much more natural than 'Ellos reconciliaron'.

Cognate Power

Use the fact that it looks like 'reconcile' to your advantage. It's a 'safe' word to use in both formal and informal settings.

The 'liar' sound

The end of the word 'liar' sounds like 'lee-ar' or 'lyar'. Practice saying it quickly so it doesn't sound like two separate syllables.

Personal 'a'

If you are reconciling two other people, remember the personal 'a': 'Reconcilié a mis padres'. This is a common mistake for English speakers.

Cultural Weight

In Spanish, this word can be very emotional. Using it shows you understand the depth of human relationships.

Abstract ideas

Don't be afraid to use it for non-human things, like 'reconciliar el pasado con el presente'. It makes your Spanish sound very sophisticated.

Listen for 'con'

When you hear 'reconciliarse', your brain should immediately expect to hear 'con' right after it if a second person is mentioned.

Bank accounts

If you find the emotional meaning hard to remember, think of it as 'reconciling' numbers in a bank. You're just doing that with people's feelings.

Hacer las paces

Learn 'hacer las paces' alongside 'reconciliar'. Using both will make you sound more like a native speaker who knows different registers.

Single 'c'

Remember: Spanish 'reconciliar' has only one 'c' after the 'n'. Don't let the English 'reconcile' trick you into adding extra letters.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of 'RE-CONNECT-LIAR'. You want to RE-connect with someone even if they were a LIAR (or you were!). Re-con-ciliar.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine two hands coming together to form a bridge over a deep canyon of fire. The bridge is the act of 'reconciliar'.

Word Web

Paz Amistad Perdón Diálogo Unión Acuerdo Armonía Solución

Herausforderung

Try to use 'reconciliarse' in a sentence about two famous enemies from a movie or history.

Wortherkunft

From the Latin 'reconciliare'. The prefix 're-' means 'again' and 'conciliare' means 'to bring together' or 'to unite'.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To bring back into a state of union or to regain favor.

Romance (derived from Latin).

Kultureller Kontext

Be mindful when using this in political contexts in Latin America, as it can be a sensitive topic related to historical justice.

In English-speaking business culture, 'reconcile' is very common in accounting. In Spanish, 'reconciliar' is equally common in accounting but carries more emotional weight in daily life.

The 'Sacramento de la Reconciliación' in the Catholic Church. The 'Ley de Reconciliación Nacional' in various Latin American countries. The poem 'Reconciliación' by various Hispanic authors exploring peace.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Family Disputes

  • Reconciliarse con los padres
  • Reconciliar a los hermanos
  • Cena de reconciliación
  • Pedir perdón para reconciliarse

Professional/Business

  • Reconciliar el presupuesto
  • Reconciliar intereses corporativos
  • Reconciliar posturas en la reunión
  • Mediación para reconciliar

Romantic Relationships

  • Reconciliarse con la pareja
  • Viaje de reconciliación
  • Intentar reconciliarse por los hijos
  • No queremos reconciliarnos

Legal/Political

  • Tratado de reconciliación
  • Reconciliar a las partes en el juicio
  • Comisión de reconciliación
  • Reconciliar la ley con la justicia

Personal Growth

  • Reconciliarse con uno mismo
  • Reconciliarse con su pasado
  • Reconciliar deseos y realidad
  • Paz interna y reconciliación

Gesprächseinstiege

"¿Crees que es fácil reconciliarse después de una gran mentira?"

"¿Alguna vez tuviste que reconciliar a dos amigos que estaban peleados?"

"¿Qué es lo más difícil de reconciliarse con alguien?"

"¿Crees que los países siempre pueden reconciliarse después de una guerra?"

"¿Cómo logras reconciliar tu tiempo libre con tus obligaciones?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Escribe sobre una vez que tuviste que reconciliarte con alguien. ¿Cómo te sentiste antes y después?

¿Qué diferencias en tu vida actual son las más difíciles de reconciliar?

Describe un personaje de un libro que nunca pudo reconciliarse con su familia.

¿Por qué crees que la reconciliación es importante para una sociedad sana?

Reflexiona sobre lo que significa para ti reconciliarse con el pasado.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

No, it is not always reflexive. You use it without the reflexive pronoun when you are the one reconciling two other people or two abstract things. For example, 'Yo reconcilié a mis amigos'. You use the reflexive 'reconciliarse' when the people involved are doing the action to themselves, like 'Ellos se reconciliaron'.

'Reconciliar' is a bit more formal and can be used for things like accounts or ideas. 'Hacer las paces' is very common in spoken Spanish and is used almost exclusively for people making up after a fight. If you are talking to friends, 'hacer las paces' sounds more natural.

You use the reflexive form of the verb followed by the preposition 'con'. For example: 'Me reconcilié con mi hermana'. Don't forget the 'con', as it is essential for connecting the action to the other person.

Yes, absolutely. In a financial context, 'reconciliar las cuentas' means to make sure that two different financial records match. It is a very common term in accounting and business Spanish.

Not exactly. While they are related, 'perdonar' (to forgive) is an internal decision to stop feeling angry. 'Reconciliar' is the act of actually restoring the relationship. You can forgive someone without reconciling with them if you choose not to be in their life anymore.

Yes, 'reconciliar' is a regular '-ar' verb. It follows the standard conjugation patterns for verbs like 'hablar' or 'cantar' in all tenses. This makes it very easy to conjugate once you know the basic endings.

The noun form is 'reconciliación'. It is a feminine noun, so you say 'la reconciliación'. It is used to describe the process or the state of having reconciled.

Actually, for sleep, Spanish speakers usually use 'conciliar' without the 're-'. The phrase is 'conciliar el sueño'. Using 'reconciliar el sueño' is less common, though sometimes people say it if they woke up and are trying to fall back asleep.

Yes, it is a very important word in politics and history. It refers to the process of healing a country after a war or conflict. You will often hear about 'planes de reconciliación nacional' in news from Latin America.

The word is 'irreconciliable'. It is used to describe differences or people that cannot be brought back into harmony. For example, 'Tienen diferencias irreconciliables'.

Teste dich selbst 200 Fragen

writing

Write a sentence using 'reconciliarse' in the past tense.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'I want to reconcile with my father.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Use 'reconciliar' to talk about work and family.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence with 'reconciliación'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'They hope we reconcile.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Describe a time you reconciled with a friend.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Use 'irreconciliable' in a sentence.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'The mediator reconciled the parties.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write about reconciling the past and the present.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Use 'limar asperezas' in a sentence.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'It is never too late to reconcile.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a formal sentence about national reconciliation.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Use 'reconciliarse con uno mismo'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'We made up.' (informal)

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Use 'reconciliar intereses' in a business context.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write about the beauty of reconciliation.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'She reconciled her checkbook.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Use 'reconciliador' as an adjective.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a question asking someone if they want to make up.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Describe the opposite of reconciliation.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Quiero reconciliarme contigo.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Ellos se reconciliaron.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Es difícil reconciliar intereses.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Hicimos las paces.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: '¿Te reconciliaste con ella?'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Espero que se reconcilien.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Limamos asperezas.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Diferencias irreconciliables.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Un gesto reconciliador.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Reconciliar el pasado.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Nos reconciliamos en Navidad.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'La reconciliación es vital.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Tender puentes.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Borrón y cuenta nueva.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Reconciliar posturas.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: '¿Cómo reconciliar la fe?'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Se reconcilió con Dios.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Nunca es tarde.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Reconciliamos las cuentas.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: '¡Reconcíliense!'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and identify: 'Ellos se reconciliaron ayer.' When did it happen?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and identify: 'Quiero reconciliarme con mi jefe.' Who with?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and identify: 'La reconciliación fue difícil.' Was it easy?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and identify: 'Espero que se reconcilien.' Is it a fact or a wish?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and identify: 'Diferencias irreconciliables.' Can they be fixed?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and identify: 'Hicieron las paces.' What did they do?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and identify: 'Limaron asperezas.' Did they have a small or big fight?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and identify: 'Reconcilió a sus padres.' Who is the subject?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and identify: 'Proceso de reconciliación nacional.' What context?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and identify: 'Nunca se reconciliaron.' Did they reconcile?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and identify: 'Tono reconciliador.' What kind of voice?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and identify: 'Borrón y cuenta nueva.' What does it mean?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and identify: 'Reconciliar el sueño.' What is the person trying to do?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and identify: '¿Te reconciliaste?' Who is the speaker talking to?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and identify: 'Se reconcilió con su pasado.' Who did he reconcile with?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:

/ 200 correct

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