Signification
To give someone confidence or hope.
Contexte culturel
In Spain, the word 'Ánimo' is frequently used as a standalone exclamation to say 'Keep going!' or 'Hang in there!'. It's very common in professional and personal settings. Mexicans often use the phrase 'echar porras'. A 'porra' is a cheer or a group of fans. 'Echarle porras a alguien' means to vocally support and encourage them. In Argentina, 'dar aliento' or 'alentar' is very strong, especially in football culture. The 'hinchada' (fans) is there to 'alentar' the team through the whole match. In Colombia, you might hear 'dar moral'. It's a slightly more informal way to say 'animar' or give someone the mental strength to continue.
The 'Anímate' Shortcut
If you don't know what to say to a sad friend, just say '¡Anímate!'. It's the perfect, all-purpose 'Cheer up!'.
Personal A
Never forget the 'a' in 'animar a [person]'. It's the most common mistake for English speakers.
Signification
To give someone confidence or hope.
The 'Anímate' Shortcut
If you don't know what to say to a sad friend, just say '¡Anímate!'. It's the perfect, all-purpose 'Cheer up!'.
Personal A
Never forget the 'a' in 'animar a [person]'. It's the most common mistake for English speakers.
Body Language
When you 'animas' someone in Spanish, it's often accompanied by a pat on the back or a touch on the shoulder.
Reflexive vs Transitive
Use 'animar' to change someone else's mood, and 'animarse' to change your own or to dare to do something.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing personal 'a' and the correct form of 'animar'.
Yo siempre _______ ___ mi hermana cuando está triste.
You need the first person 'animo' and the personal 'a' because 'mi hermana' is a person.
Which sentence means 'I dared to jump'?
Choose the correct translation:
The reflexive 'animarse a' means 'to dare' or 'to bring oneself to do something'.
Complete the dialogue with the best option.
Juan: 'He perdido mi trabajo.' María: 'Lo siento mucho. ¡_________! Encontrarás algo mejor.'
María is telling Juan to cheer himself up, so the reflexive imperative 'anímate' is correct.
Match the use of 'animar' to the situation.
Situation: A crowd at a stadium shouting for their team.
In sports, you 'animas' (cheer for) the team.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesYo siempre _______ ___ mi hermana cuando está triste.
You need the first person 'animo' and the personal 'a' because 'mi hermana' is a person.
Choose the correct translation:
The reflexive 'animarse a' means 'to dare' or 'to bring oneself to do something'.
Juan: 'He perdido mi trabajo.' María: 'Lo siento mucho. ¡_________! Encontrarás algo mejor.'
María is telling Juan to cheer himself up, so the reflexive imperative 'anímate' is correct.
Situation: A crowd at a stadium shouting for their team.
In sports, you 'animas' (cheer for) the team.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questions'Animar' is more emotional and spirit-based (cheering up), while 'motivar' is more about providing reasons or incentives to do something.
Yes! It means to liven up the party, usually with music or activities.
No, it's very friendly. However, if someone is grieving deeply, it might sound a bit too simple; in that case, 'lo siento mucho' is better.
Se dice 'animadora' or 'porrista' (in Mexico).
Yes, it follows the standard -ar conjugation pattern (animo, animas, anima...).
Yes, you can 'animar a tu perro' to jump or run.
It means to finally decide or dare to do something you were hesitant about.
Desanimar (to discourage) or deprimir (to depress).
Yes, a manager can 'animar a sus empleados' to reach a goal.
Absolutely. It is a universal Spanish term.
Expressions liées
Dar ánimos
synonymTo give encouragement
Alentar
synonymTo encourage/breathe into
Consolar
similarTo comfort
Desanimar
contrastTo discourage
Motivar
similarTo motivate
