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A2 verb #4,000 le plus courant 12 min de lecture

acostar

Top 4,000

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces acostar en 30 secondes

Explication acostar in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should focus on the reflexive form 'acostarse', which means 'to go to bed'. This is a core part of your daily routine vocabulary. You will learn it alongside other reflexive verbs like 'ducharse' (to shower) or 'despertarse' (to wake up). The most important things to remember are: 1) It describes the action of going to bed, not being asleep. 2) It has a stem change where the 'o' becomes 'ue' (yo me acuesto). 3) You use it to talk about your schedule. For example, 'Me acuesto a las diez'. At this stage, you don't need to worry much about putting others to bed, just focus on your own routine. You will use it in simple present tense sentences to describe your life. It is helpful to pair it with time expressions like 'temprano' (early) or 'tarde' (late). Understanding this verb helps you participate in basic conversations about your day-to-day habits and compare your lifestyle with others. It is one of the first 'boot verbs' (stem-changing) that students encounter, making it a great practice word for grammar fundamentals.

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At the A2 level, you expand your use of 'acostar' to its transitive form, meaning 'to put someone else to bed'. This is particularly useful if you are talking about family, children, or caregiving. You will learn to use the 'personal a' when the person you are putting to bed is a direct object, such as 'Acuesto a mi hijo'. You will also start using the verb in the preterite (past) tense to describe what happened yesterday. In the preterite, 'acostar' is regular (yo acosté, tú acostaste), which is a relief compared to its present tense stem change. You should also be able to use it in the near future with 'ir + a + infinitive', like 'Voy a acostar al bebé'. This level requires you to distinguish clearly between doing the action to yourself (reflexive) and doing it to someone else (transitive). You might also start to see it used with pets. For example, 'Acuesto al perro en su cama'. Mastery at A2 means being comfortable with these two distinct ways of using the verb and applying the correct pronouns.

By B1, you are expected to use 'acostar' and 'acostarse' in more complex grammatical structures, including the present subjunctive and the imperfect tense. You will use the subjunctive to express desires, doubts, or suggestions: 'Mi madre quiere que me acueste más temprano' (My mother wants me to go to bed earlier). You will also use the imperfect to describe past routines: 'Cuando era niño, mi abuela me acostaba a las ocho' (When I was a child, my grandmother used to put me to bed at eight). At this level, you should also be familiar with the imperative (command) forms, both formal and informal. '¡Acuéstate!' (Go to bed!) or 'No lo acueste todavía' (Don't put him to bed yet). You might also start to encounter the verb in slightly more abstract contexts, such as 'acostar una botella' (to lay a bottle down). You should be able to discuss the importance of sleep and routines using a variety of tenses and moods. Your vocabulary will also include more synonyms and related terms like 'madrugar' (to get up early) or 'trasnochar' (to stay up late), allowing you to contrast 'acostar' with other parts of the sleep cycle.

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At the B2 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of 'acostar' in various registers and idiomatic expressions. You will encounter the verb in more literary or formal texts where it might be used metaphorically. For example, you might read about the sun 'acostándose' on the horizon. You should also be comfortable using the conditional and future tenses to talk about hypothetical situations or plans: 'Si tuviera sueño, me acostaría' (If I were sleepy, I would go to bed). At this stage, you should also understand the difference between 'acostar' and its synonyms like 'tumbar' or 'tender' in terms of tone and specific physical action. You will be able to use the verb in the passive voice or with 'se' for impersonal statements: 'Se recomienda acostar a los bebés boca arriba' (It is recommended to put babies to bed on their backs). Your ability to use 'acostar' will be integrated into broader discussions about health, psychology, and cultural differences in sleep habits. You should also be aware of regional variations in how the verb is used or how sleep routines are described across the Spanish-speaking world.

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In C1, your use of 'acostar' should be indistinguishable from a native speaker's in terms of placement and context. You will be able to use it in advanced structures like the past subjunctive or the future perfect. You will also recognize and use idiomatic expressions like 'acostarse con las gallinas' (to go to bed very early) or 'acostarse sobre los laureles' (though 'dormirse' is more common here, variations exist). You should be able to analyze the etymology of the word (from 'costa' - side) and how that influences its meaning in technical or archaic contexts. In professional environments, such as medical translation or literature, you will know exactly when 'acostar' is the appropriate choice versus more technical terms. You will also be able to handle the verb in complex 'si' clauses and reported speech without hesitation. Your understanding of the verb includes its social implications—how the act of 'acostar' reflects family dynamics or societal norms. You can discuss the evolution of the word and its place within the broader family of Spanish verbs related to posture and rest.

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At the C2 level, you possess a masterly command of 'acostar'. You can use it with absolute precision in any context, from the most casual slang to the most formal academic writing. You are aware of rare or archaic uses of the verb found in classic Spanish literature (like Cervantes or Quevedo) and can interpret them correctly. You understand the subtle rhythmic and phonetic qualities of the word in poetry and prose. You can discuss the sociolinguistic aspects of the word, such as how its usage might vary between social classes or in different historical periods. Your knowledge includes all possible derivations and related words, and you can play with the language, perhaps using 'acostar' in a pun or a sophisticated metaphor. You are also capable of explaining the nuances of the verb to others, including its complex relationship with the reflexive 'se' and its stem-changing patterns. At this level, 'acostar' is not just a word for 'going to bed', but a versatile tool in your linguistic arsenal that you use with effortless grace and accuracy.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

acostar en 30 secondes

Acostar means to put someone to bed or lay them down.
It is a stem-changing verb where 'o' becomes 'ue' in the present tense.
The reflexive form 'acostarse' is used when you are going to bed yourself.
It is a central verb for daily routines, parenting, and caregiving contexts.

The Spanish verb acostar is a fundamental pillar of daily life and caretaking. At its core, it means to put someone to bed or to lay someone down. While English speakers often think of 'going to bed' as a single reflexive action, Spanish distinguishes clearly between the act of placing another person into a horizontal position for rest (transitive) and the act of doing it to oneself (reflexive). Understanding acostar requires recognizing its physical nature; it is about the transition from a vertical or active state to a horizontal, restful one. It is most commonly heard in domestic settings, particularly involving parents and children, or in healthcare environments where a professional might assist a patient.

Transitive Usage: When you use 'acostar' without the reflexive 'se', you are performing the action on someone else. For example, 'Acuesto al bebé' (I put the baby to bed).

Es muy importante acostar a los niños a una hora regular para su desarrollo.

The word originates from the Latin 'costa', meaning 'rib' or 'side'. This etymological root reveals the literal meaning: to bring someone to their side or to lay them down on their side. In a broader sense, it can also refer to tilting or inclining objects, though this is less common in modern everyday speech compared to its human-centric application. In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the routine of 'acostar' is accompanied by specific rituals—storytelling, prayers, or songs—making the verb carry a connotation of tenderness and protection.

Reflexive Form: The reflexive version 'acostarse' is much more frequent in conversation, as it describes the act of the subject going to bed themselves.

Me voy a acostar ahora mismo porque estoy agotado.

Beyond the bedroom, 'acostar' can appear in nautical contexts meaning to bring a ship alongside a dock, though this is technical. In colloquial settings, especially in some Latin American regions, the verb might be used metaphorically to describe knocking someone down in a fight, though this is highly informal and context-dependent. For a learner at the A2 level, focusing on the parental and personal care aspects of the word is the most productive path. It is a verb of transition, marking the end of the day's activities and the beginning of recuperation.

¿A qué hora sueles acostar a tus mascotas?

Professional Context: Nurses and caregivers use 'acostar' to describe the physical assistance provided to patients who cannot lie down independently.

La enfermera ayudó a acostar al paciente tras la cirugía.

No es fácil acostar a un niño que tiene mucha energía.

Mastering acostar involves navigating its stem-changing nature and its relationship with direct objects. Because it is a transitive verb, it almost always requires an object—the person or thing being put to bed. If you are the one going to bed, you must add the reflexive pronoun 'se' to turn it into 'acostarse'. This distinction is vital for clarity. In the present tense, the 'o' in the root becomes 'ue' whenever the syllable is stressed. This means 'yo acuesto', 'tú acuestas', 'él acuesta', and 'ellos acuestan', but 'nosotros acostamos' and 'vosotros acostáis'.

Present Tense Examples: Focus on the stem change: 'Yo acuesto a mi abuela todas las noches'. Notice the 'o' to 'ue' transition.

Siempre acuesto a los cachorros en su propia manta.

When using the imperative or command form, acostar is frequently used by parents. 'Acuesta a tu hermano' (Put your brother to bed) uses the informal 'tú' command. In the preterite (past) tense, the verb is regular, meaning the stem change does not occur. 'Yo acosté', 'tú acostaste', 'él acostó'. This provides a moment of relief for learners who struggle with irregular verbs. The future tense and conditional are also regular: 'acostaré', 'acostaría'.

Reflexive vs. Non-Reflexive: If you say 'Acuesto al niño', you are the actor. If you say 'Me acuesto', you are both the actor and the recipient.

Después de acostar a los niños, por fin pude leer un libro.

In more complex sentences involving the subjunctive mood, the stem change remains. 'Espero que acuestes a los invitados en el cuarto de arriba' (I hope you put the guests in the upstairs room). Here, 'acostar' conveys a sense of hospitality and arrangement. It is not just about sleep, but about the physical placement of people in a space designed for rest. In literature, you might see 'acostar' used to describe the sun setting: 'El sol se acostó tras las montañas', personifying the star as it goes to its own 'bed'.

Mañana tendremos que acostar al abuelo más temprano para su cita médica.

Using with Adverbs: Commonly paired with 'temprano' (early) or 'tarde' (late). 'No los acuestes tan tarde'.

Si acuestas al perro en el sofá, se acostumbrará a dormir ahí.

¿Podrías acostar al niño mientras yo preparo la cena?

The word acostar echoes through the halls of every Spanish-speaking home at the end of the day. It is the quintessential 'parenting' verb. If you are walking through a neighborhood in Madrid or Mexico City around 8:00 or 9:00 PM, you might hear a mother calling out from a balcony or through an open window to her children, signaling that the time for play has ended. It is also a staple in the vocabulary of babysitters and teachers in preschools during 'la siesta' or nap time. In these contexts, 'acostar' is often softened with diminutive endings or gentle tones to make the transition to sleep more appealing to toddlers.

The Domestic Environment: In families, 'acostar' is part of the 'rutina nocturna'. It involves the whole process: 'bañar, cenar y acostar' (bathe, eat dinner, and put to bed).

En mi casa, mi padre era quien se encargaba de acostar a mis hermanos menores.

In medical or geriatric care, 'acostar' is used formally. Doctors and nurses use it when instructing patients or colleagues. For instance, 'Tenemos que acostar al paciente para realizar la ecografía' (We need to lay the patient down to perform the ultrasound). Here, the word loses its domestic warmth and takes on a clinical, functional meaning. Similarly, in the hospitality industry, hotel staff might use it when discussing the preparation of 'camas supletorias' (extra beds) or the 'turn-down service', though they might prefer more formal verbs like 'preparar'.

Media and Literature: In telenovelas or movies, you'll hear 'acostar' in dramatic scenes involving illness or exhaustion, or in romantic contexts where it implies intimacy.

La película termina con la madre cantando una nana mientras termina de acostar a su hijo.

Interestingly, the word also appears in agricultural or rural settings. Farmers might 'acostar' certain plants or vines to protect them from wind or to encourage specific growth patterns. While this is a niche usage, it highlights the verb's core meaning of changing verticality to horizontality. In urban slang, 'acostar' can sometimes be used to mean 'to finish something off' or 'to put something to rest' metaphorically, though this is less common than the literal meaning. For a traveler, hearing '¿A qué hora se acuestan aquí?' is a common way to ask about the local nightlife or when shops close.

El médico me pidió acostar al herido con las piernas elevadas.

The 'Siesta' Culture: The midday nap is a perfect time to hear 'acostar'. 'Voy a acostar al niño para que duerma la siesta'.

¿Prefieres acostar a los niños antes o después de la película?

No te olvides de acostar las botellas de vino en la bodega.

The most frequent error English speakers make with acostar is confusing the transitive and reflexive forms. In English, 'to go to bed' and 'to put to bed' are distinct phrases, but in Spanish, they share the same root. If you say 'Yo acuesto a las diez', you are leaving the sentence unfinished—the listener will wonder who you are putting to bed. You must say 'Me acuesto' (I put myself to bed) to convey that you are the one retiring for the night. This distinction is the bedrock of reflexive verb usage in Spanish.

The Stem-Change Trap: Forgetting the 'o' to 'ue' change is very common. Saying 'yo acosto' instead of 'yo acuesto' sounds jarring to native ears.

Incorrect: Yo acosto a mi hijo. Correct: Yo acuesto a mi hijo.

Another common mistake is confusing acostar with acostumbrar (to get used to) or acosar (to harass). While they sound vaguely similar, their meanings are entirely unrelated. Imagine the social awkwardness of saying 'Me acoso temprano' instead of 'Me acuesto temprano'! Furthermore, learners often forget the 'personal a' when the object is a human being. 'Acuesto el niño' is grammatically incorrect; it must be 'Acuesto al niño'.

Preterite Confusion: Some students try to apply the stem change to the past tense, saying 'yo acuesté'. In the preterite, it remains 'acosté'.

Anoche acosté a los niños y luego me acosté yo.

Finally, don't confuse acostar with dormir. While they are related to the same nightly routine, 'acostar' is the physical act of lying down or being put to bed, whereas 'dormir' is the state of being asleep. You can 'acostar' a child who then refuses to 'dormir'. Mixing these up can lead to confusion about whether you are talking about the transition to bed or the actual quality of sleep. Ensuring you use the correct verb for the specific stage of the night is key for advanced fluency.

No es lo mismo acostar a alguien que lograr que se duerma.

Preposition Errors: Learners sometimes add 'en' unnecessarily. 'Acostar a la cama' is less common than simply 'acostar'.

¿Por qué acuestas al gato en mi almohada?

Si me acuesto tarde, mañana estaré muy cansado.

Spanish offers several verbs that overlap with acostar, each with a slightly different nuance. Understanding these alternatives will help you choose the most precise word for your situation. While 'acostar' is the standard for bed-related activities, verbs like 'tumbar', 'tender', and 'echar' are also part of the horizontal vocabulary of Spanish. Choosing between them depends on whether you are being formal, physical, or colloquial.

Acostar vs. Tumbar: Tumbar is more about the physical act of knocking something over or laying it flat, often with more force or less ceremony than 'acostar'. You 'tumbas' a tree or a fence, but you 'acuestas' a child.

El viento tumbó las sillas, pero yo acosté al niño con cuidado.

Another alternative is tender. While 'tender' usually means to stretch out or to hang clothes, 'tenderse' can mean to stretch oneself out on a surface, like a sofa or the grass. It implies a more relaxed, perhaps temporary, horizontal position compared to the definitive 'going to bed' of 'acostar'. Then there is echar. In the reflexive form 'echarse', it is a very common colloquial way to say 'to lie down for a bit'. 'Me voy a echar un rato' is a classic way to announce a quick nap.

Acostar vs. Dormir: As mentioned before, 'acostar' is the action of going to bed, while 'dormir' is the state of sleep. You can be 'acostado' (lying down) without being 'dormido' (asleep).

Lleva una hora acostado, pero todavía no se ha dormido.

In literary or highly formal contexts, you might encounter yacer, which means 'to lie' (often used for deceased people or in a very poetic sense). For example, 'Aquí yace...' (Here lies...). This is far removed from the daily routine of 'acostar'. For medical contexts, 'decúbito' is the technical term for lying down, used in phrases like 'decúbito supino' (lying on one's back). For the average learner, sticking to 'acostar' and 'acostarse' for bed routines and 'echarse' for casual lying down will cover 95% of all needs.

¿Prefieres acostarte en la cama o tenderte en la hamaca?

Regional Variations: In some parts of the Caribbean, 'acostar' can be used for placing something in a specific spot, but 'poner' is generally more universal for objects.

Voy a acostar al abuelo en el sofá para que descanse las piernas.

No es necesario acostar a los perros; ellos se acuestan solos.

How Formal Is It?

Formel

"Es imperativo acostar al paciente en posición decúbito supino."

Neutre

"Voy a acostar a los niños ahora."

Informel

"Me voy a echar un rato (alternative to acostarse)."

Child friendly

"Vamos a acostar a tus peluches también."

Argot

"Lo acostó de un puñetazo."

Le savais-tu ?

The word is a 'cousin' of the English word 'accost', which means to approach someone side-by-side, though the meanings have diverged significantly.

Guide de prononciation

UK /a.kosˈtaɾ/

US /a.kosˈtɑɹ/

The stress is on the last syllable: a-kos-TAR.

Rime avec

cantar hablar mirar saltar amar cenar llegar pensar

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the 'o' as a diphthong like 'oh' in English.
Failing to tap the 'r' at the end.
Stressing the second syllable instead of the last.
Pronouncing the 's' too heavily like a 'z'.
Forgetting to change the 'o' to 'ue' in stressed present tense forms.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

Easy to recognize in text, though stem changes can be tricky for beginners.

Écriture 3/5

Requires memory of the o->ue stem change and reflexive pronoun placement.

Expression orale 3/5

The stem change must be applied correctly in real-time.

Écoute 2/5

Clear pronunciation makes it easy to distinguish in conversation.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

cama dormir noche hijo temprano

Apprends ensuite

despertar levantar vestir desayunar soñar

Avancé

pernoctar yacer soñoliento insomnio aletargado

Grammaire à connaître

Stem-changing verbs (o -> ue)

Yo acuesto, tú acuestas, él acuesta.

Reflexive pronouns (me, te, se, nos, os, se)

Me acuesto, nos acostamos.

Personal 'a' for direct objects

Acuesto a María.

Placement of reflexive pronouns with infinitives

Quiero acostarme / Me quiero acostar.

Imperative of stem-changing verbs

Acuesta (tú), acueste (usted).

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Exemples par niveau

Yo me acuesto a las diez de la noche.

I go to bed at ten at night.

Reflexive use (acostarse) in the present tense.

¿A qué hora te acuestas tú?

What time do you go to bed?

Question form with reflexive pronoun 'te'.

Mi hijo se acuesta temprano.

My son goes to bed early.

Third person singular reflexive.

Nosotros nos acostamos muy tarde los sábados.

We go to bed very late on Saturdays.

First person plural; no stem change in 'acostamos'.

Ellos se acuestan después de ver la televisión.

They go to bed after watching television.

Third person plural with stem change 'o' to 'ue'.

Ella se acuesta a las ocho porque trabaja mucho.

She goes to bed at eight because she works a lot.

Reflexive 'se' + present tense.

¿Ustedes se acuestan ahora?

Are you all going to bed now?

Second person plural (ustedes) reflexive.

Me acuesto porque estoy muy cansado.

I'm going to bed because I am very tired.

Present tense reflexive expressing a reason.

Tengo que acostar al bebé ahora.

I have to put the baby to bed now.

Transitive use with 'personal a' before 'bebé'.

Ayer acosté a los niños a las nueve.

Yesterday I put the children to bed at nine.

Preterite tense, first person singular (regular).

¿Ya acostaste al perro en su camita?

Did you already put the dog in his little bed?

Preterite tense, second person singular.

Mi madre siempre acuesta a mi abuelo.

My mother always puts my grandfather to bed.

Present tense transitive with stem change 'o' to 'ue'.

Vamos a acostar a los invitados en el sofá cama.

We are going to put the guests on the sofa bed.

Near future 'ir + a + infinitive'.

Ella acostó a su muñeca en la cuna de juguete.

She put her doll to bed in the toy crib.

Preterite tense, third person singular.

¿Quién va a acostar a los niños hoy?

Who is going to put the children to bed today?

Question with future intention.

Acostamos a los heridos en el suelo mientras llegaba la ambulancia.

We laid the injured people on the ground while the ambulance arrived.

Preterite first person plural (regular).

Espero que te acuestes temprano para el examen.

I hope you go to bed early for the exam.

Present subjunctive reflexive with stem change.

Cuando era pequeña, mi padre me acostaba cada noche.

When I was little, my father used to put me to bed every night.

Imperfect tense expressing a past habit.

¡Acuéstate ya! Es muy tarde.

Go to bed now! It is very late.

Informal imperative (command) form with attached pronoun.

No quiero que acuestes al niño con la ropa sucia.

I don't want you to put the child to bed with dirty clothes.

Negative subjunctive sentence.

Si te acuestas ahora, dormirás ocho horas.

If you go to bed now, you will sleep eight hours.

Conditional 'si' clause with present and future.

La enfermera está acostando al paciente con mucho cuidado.

The nurse is laying the patient down very carefully.

Present progressive (estar + gerund).

Antes de acostarme, siempre bebo un vaso de leche.

Before going to bed, I always drink a glass of milk.

Infinitive reflexive attached after a preposition.

Dudo que ellos se acuesten antes de la medianoche.

I doubt they will go to bed before midnight.

Subjunctive used after an expression of doubt.

Si me hubiera acostado antes, no tendría este dolor de cabeza.

If I had gone to bed earlier, I wouldn't have this headache.

Past perfect subjunctive in a hypothetical clause.

El médico recomendó acostar al enfermo de lado.

The doctor recommended laying the sick person on their side.

Infinitive used as an object of a verb.

Se acostó el sol y el cielo se volvió púrpura.

The sun went down and the sky turned purple.

Metaphorical/Poetic use of the reflexive verb.

No te acuestes sin haber terminado tus tareas.

Don't go to bed without having finished your homework.

Negative imperative with a perfect infinitive.

Habíamos acostado a todos los niños cuando llegaron los tíos.

We had put all the children to bed when the uncles arrived.

Past perfect (pluscuamperfecto).

Es fundamental acostar las botellas de vino para que el corcho no se seque.

It is essential to lay wine bottles down so the cork doesn't dry out.

Technical usage for objects.

Aunque se acueste tarde, siempre madruga.

Even if he goes to bed late, he always gets up early.

Concessive clause with the subjunctive.

Le pidió que lo acostara porque se sentía mareado.

He asked her to lay him down because he felt dizzy.

Past subjunctive in reported request.

El cansancio era tal que se acostó con la ropa puesta.

The exhaustion was such that he went to bed with his clothes on.

Reflexive use in a result clause.

Resulta irónico que se acueste tan temprano siendo un músico de jazz.

It's ironic that he goes to bed so early, being a jazz musician.

Subjunctive used to express irony or evaluation.

Para evitar las úlceras, hay que acostar al paciente en diferentes posiciones.

To avoid ulcers, the patient must be laid in different positions.

Impersonal 'hay que' with transitive infinitive.

Apenas se hubo acostado, sonó el teléfono.

Hardly had he gone to bed when the phone rang.

Preterite anterior (literary past).

No creo que por acostarte más tarde vayas a ser más productivo.

I don't think that by going to bed later you're going to be more productive.

Subjunctive following a negation of belief.

La madre acostaba al niño mientras le susurraba antiguas leyendas.

The mother was putting the child to bed while whispering ancient legends to him.

Imperfect tense describing simultaneous actions.

Se recomienda no acostar a los lactantes con almohadas voluminosas.

It is recommended not to put infants to bed with bulky pillows.

Passive 'se' with a recommendation.

Me extraña que no te hayas acostado todavía con lo cansado que estabas.

It surprises me that you haven't gone to bed yet, given how tired you were.

Present perfect subjunctive expressing surprise.

Aquel viejo marinero decía que el mar se acuesta cuando la luna se esconde.

That old sailor used to say that the sea goes to bed when the moon hides.

Highly metaphorical/personified usage.

Hubiera sido preferible que acostaras el asunto antes de que pasara a mayores.

It would have been preferable for you to put the matter to rest before it escalated.

Metaphorical use of 'acostar' meaning to settle or resolve.

La penumbra de la habitación invitaba a acostarse y olvidar las penas.

The shadows of the room invited one to lie down and forget their sorrows.

Infinitive used as an invitation/suggestion.

Por mucho que te acuestes tarde, la conciencia no te dejará dormir.

No matter how late you go to bed, your conscience will not let you sleep.

Concessive structure with 'por mucho que' + subjunctive.

La disposición de los cuerpos, acostados en paralelo, sugería un ritual.

The arrangement of the bodies, laid out in parallel, suggested a ritual.

Past participle used as an adjective.

Si bien se acostó con la intención de madrugar, el destino tenía otros planes.

Although he went to bed with the intention of rising early, fate had other plans.

Formal concessive clause with 'si bien'.

No es de extrañar que la fatiga le obligara a acostar a su equipo antes de tiempo.

It's no wonder fatigue forced him to send his team to bed early.

Complex clausal structure with infinitive.

Acostar los miedos es el primer paso para una vida plena.

Putting fears to rest is the first step towards a full life.

Abstract metaphorical usage of the transitive verb.

Collocations courantes

acostar al niño

acostarse temprano

acostarse tarde

acostar a alguien a la fuerza

acostar las botellas

acostarse boca arriba

acostarse boca abajo

acostar al herido

acostarse de lado

acostarse con el sol

Phrases Courantes

irse a acostar

— To go to bed. Used when announcing you are leaving to sleep.

Ya me voy a acostar, buenas noches.

mandar a acostar

— To send someone to bed. Often used by parents as an order.

Mi madre me mandó a acostar sin cenar.

hora de acostar

— Bedtime. The specific time designated for going to sleep.

Ya pasó la hora de acostar a los niños.

acostar el santo

— To put a religious statue away or lay it down after a procession.

Después de la procesión, fueron a acostar el santo.

acostarse sin cenar

— To go to bed without dinner, often as a punishment or due to poverty.

Se portó tan mal que se acostó sin cenar.

acostarse un rato

— To lie down for a short while to rest.

Me duele la cabeza, voy a acostarme un rato.

acostar a los enfermos

— The act of assisting patients into their beds in a hospital.

El celador ayudó a acostar a los enfermos.

acostarse en los laureles

— While usually 'dormirse', this variant means to become lazy after success.

No te acuestes en los laureles o perderás la ventaja.

acostarse con una idea

— To go to bed thinking about a specific problem or thought.

Me acosté con esa idea en la cabeza y soñé con ella.

acostar la cabeza

— To rest one's head, usually on a pillow.

Solo quería acostar la cabeza y no pensar en nada.

Souvent confondu avec

acostar vs acostumbrar

Means 'to get used to'. It sounds similar but has a completely different meaning.

acostar vs acosar

Means 'to harass'. Confusing these can lead to very inappropriate sentences.

acostar vs costar

Means 'to cost'. Learners often confuse the roots because they both have 'cost'.

Expressions idiomatiques

"acostarse con las gallinas"

— To go to bed very early, at sunset.

Mi abuelo vive en el campo y se acuesta con las gallinas.

colloquial

"acostar el asunto"

— To settle or finish a matter so it is no longer discussed.

Es mejor acostar el asunto antes de que se entere el jefe.

informal

"acostarse por el interés"

— To enter a relationship or sleep with someone for personal gain.

Todo el mundo sabe que se acostó con él por el interés.

vulgar/slang

"acostar a alguien (en una pelea)"

— To knock someone out or defeat them decisively.

El boxeador lo acostó en el segundo asalto.

slang

"acostarse con un ojo abierto"

— To sleep lightly or stay vigilant even while resting.

En ese barrio hay que acostarse con un ojo abierto.

colloquial

"acostarse en la cama que uno mismo ha hecho"

— To face the consequences of one's own actions (similar to 'make your bed and lie in it').

Tomaste malas decisiones, ahora te toca acostarte en esa cama.

proverbial

"acostarse de un golpe"

— To fall asleep instantly due to extreme fatigue.

Estaba tan cansado que me acosté de un golpe.

informal

"acostar los humos"

— To humble someone or lower their arrogance.

El profesor le acostó los humos al alumno presumido.

metaphorical

"acostarse sin saber una cosa más"

— Part of a proverb: 'No te acostarás sin saber una cosa más' (You learn something new every day).

Aprendí a usar este programa hoy; no me acostaré sin saber una cosa más.

proverbial

"acostar la partida"

— To end a game or match.

Ya es tarde, vamos a acostar la partida de dominó.

informal

Facile à confondre

acostar vs dormir

Both relate to sleep.

Acostar is the act of lying down/putting to bed; dormir is the state of being asleep.

Lo acosté, pero no se durmió.

acostar vs tumbar

Both mean to lay something down.

Tumbar is more physical or forceful; acostar is usually for sleep or rest.

Tumbó la puerta, pero acostó al niño.

acostar vs tender

Both imply a horizontal position.

Tender is to stretch out or hang; acostar is specifically for bedding/resting.

Se tendió en la hierba.

acostar vs reposar

Both relate to resting.

Reposar focuses on the rest/recovery itself; acostar focuses on the placement in bed.

Tiene que reposar tres días.

acostar vs yacer

Both mean to lie down.

Yacer is formal/literary/funereal; acostar is everyday routine.

Aquí yace el rey.

Structures de phrases

Yo me acuesto a las [hora].

Yo me acuesto a las diez.

Tengo que acostar a [persona].

Tengo que acostar a mi hija.

Espero que se acuesten pronto.

Espero que se acuesten pronto porque mañana viajamos.

Si me acostara antes, descansaría mejor.

Si me acostara antes, descansaría mejor durante el día.

No por mucho acostarse temprano se amanece más descansado.

No por mucho acostarse temprano se amanece más descansado si tienes estrés.

Resulta imperativo acostar cualquier rencor antes de dormir.

Resulta imperativo acostar cualquier rencor antes de dormir para tener paz.

[Sujeto] acostó a [Objeto] ayer.

Mi padre acostó al perro ayer.

Cuando era niño, me acostaba a las...

Cuando era niño, me acostaba a las ocho.

Famille de mots

Noms

Verbes

Adjectifs

Apparenté

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Extremely high in daily domestic life.

Erreurs courantes

Yo acosto a mi hijo. → Yo acuesto a mi hijo.
You must apply the o -> ue stem change in the present tense.
Me acuesto a las diez. → Me acuesto a las diez.
This is actually correct, but students often forget the 'me' and just say 'Acuesto a las diez'.
Acuesto el bebé. → Acuesto al bebé.
The 'personal a' is required when the direct object is a person.
Anoche me acuesté tarde. → Anoche me acosté tarde.
The stem change does not apply to the preterite tense.
Me acoso temprano. → Me acuesto temprano.
'Acosar' means to harass. This mistake can be very embarrassing!

Astuces

Stem Change Logic

The 'o' to 'ue' change happens when the stress is on the root. This is why 'acostamos' doesn't change—the stress is on the ending.

Personal A

Always use 'a' when putting a person to bed: 'Acuesto a mi hijo'. It is a common mistake to leave it out.

Late Nights

In Spain, 'acostarse' often happens after midnight. Don't be surprised if people say 'Me acuesto tarde' even on work nights.

Tapped R

The 'r' at the end of 'acostar' is a single tap, not a trill. It should sound like the 'tt' in the English word 'better'.

Reflexive Placement

With 'ir a', you can say 'Voy a acostarme' or 'Me voy a acostar'. Both are perfectly correct and natural.

Pets

You can use 'acostar' for pets too. 'Acuesto al gato en su cesta' sounds very caring and native.

Visualizing

Visualize the 'ue' in 'acuesto' as two people lying in a bed side-by-side.

Intimacy

Be aware that 'acostarse con alguien' usually implies a sexual relationship. Use it carefully!

Clinical Use

If you work in healthcare, 'acostar' is your go-to verb for positioning patients safely.

Learning Proverb

Remember: 'No te acostarás sin saber una cosa más'. Use this to motivate your daily Spanish study.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of the word 'COAST'. When you go to bed, you are like a ship coming to the 'COAST' to rest for the night. A-COAST-AR.

Association visuelle

Imagine someone laying a bottle or a child on their 'COSTA' (side). The 'o' in the middle of 'acostar' looks like a person's head on a pillow.

Word Web

cama sueño noche almohada pijama descanso bebé rutina

Défi

Try to use 'acostar' (transitive) and 'acostarse' (reflexive) in the same sentence three times today while describing your evening routine.

Origine du mot

From the Vulgar Latin 'accostāre', which comes from 'ad-' (towards) + 'costa' (rib, side).

Sens originel : To bring to the side, or to lay someone on their side.

Romance (Latin root).

Contexte culturel

Be careful with the reflexive form 'acostarse con alguien', as it implies sexual intimacy, similar to 'sleeping with someone' in English.

English speakers often just say 'go to bed', whereas Spanish speakers distinguish the physical act of lying down ('acostarse').

The lullaby 'Duérmete niño' often implies the act of 'acostar'. Spanish literature often uses 'acostarse con el sol' to describe peasant life. The proverb 'No te acostarás sin saber una cosa más' is a cultural staple.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Family Routine

Hora de acostar a los niños.
¿Ya los acostaste?
No los acuestes tarde.
Me toca acostarlos hoy.

Medical Care

Acueste al paciente aquí.
Hay que acostarlo con cuidado.
No puede acostarse solo.
Ayúdeme a acostarlo.

Personal Habits

Me acuesto a las once.
Suelo acostarme temprano.
Ayer me acosté tarde.
Quiero acostarme ya.

Hospitality

Acostamos a los invitados en la sala.
¿Dónde vamos a acostar a tanta gente?
Acuesta las maletas en el suelo.
¿A qué hora se acuestan los huéspedes?

Nautical/Technical

Acostar el barco al muelle.
Acostar la botella de vino.
Acostar los tablones.
Acostar el mástil.

Amorces de conversation

"¿A qué hora sueles acostar a tus hijos durante la semana?"

"¿Prefieres acostarte temprano y madrugar, o acostarte tarde y dormir más?"

"¿Quién acostaba a los niños en tu casa cuando eras pequeño?"

"¿Te cuesta mucho acostarte cuando tienes un libro interesante?"

"¿Qué haces normalmente justo antes de acostarte?"

Sujets d'écriture

Describe tu rutina nocturna desde que cenas hasta que te acuestas.

Escribe sobre un día en el que tuviste que acostar a alguien (un niño, un familiar enfermo).

¿Cómo ha cambiado la hora a la que te acuestas desde que eras niño hasta ahora?

Imagina que tienes insomnio. Describe lo que piensas mientras estás acostado sin poder dormir.

Escribe un cuento breve que empiece con la frase: 'El sol se acostó y algo extraño sucedió'.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No. Use 'acostar' (transitive) when you are putting someone else to bed. Use 'acostarse' (reflexive) when you are going to bed yourself.

Yes, it is a stem-changing verb in the present tense (o -> ue). However, it is regular in the preterite and future tenses.

You say 'Acuesto al bebé'. Remember the 'personal a' because the baby is a person.

Yes, you can use it to mean 'to lay something down horizontally', like a bottle of wine or a ladder.

'Acostarse' is the action of going to bed. 'Dormirse' is the action of falling asleep.

It is 'acostamos'. There is no stem change in the 'nosotros' or 'vosotros' forms.

Yes, it is universally used across all Spanish-speaking countries for the same purpose.

No, 'to cost' is 'costar'. 'Acostar' always relates to lying down.

The opposite is 'levantar' (to get someone up) or 'despertar' (to wake someone up).

Yes, it is extremely common and one of the first verbs learned in the context of daily routines.

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