rilassare
to relax
verb ree-lahs-SAH-reh Rare
Origin: From Latin relaxare ('to loosen').
Also means
to loosen
Usage Note
Rilassare is used transitively (il massaggio rilassa i muscoli, 'massage relaxes the muscles') and reflexively (rilassarsi, 'to relax oneself'). The reflexive rilassarsi is the more common everyday form for 'to unwind'. It takes avere in transitive compound tenses, and essere when reflexive. The adjective rilassato means 'relaxed'; rilassante means 'relaxing' (modifies the cause, not the person).
Examples
"Ascoltare musica mi aiuta a rilassarmi."
Natural Translation
Listening to music helps me relax.
Literal Translation
To-listen music to-me helps to relax-myself.
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