Recostado

Recostado is a Spanish adjective and past participle derived from the verb recostar, meaning to lean back or recline. In everyday use, it describes a person or object that is resting against support in a semi-horizontal posture, rather than lying flat. The term conveys a sense of comfort or repose and is commonly used to describe someone who is sitting or lying with back support, such as “una persona recostada en el sillón.”

Etymology and grammar: from recostar + -ado, with gender and number agreement (recostado, recostada, recostados, recostadas). It is used with estar to indicate a state of position, as in “está recostado,” or as an attribute, as in “la figura recostada.”

Geographic and onomastic usage: Recostado may appear as a toponym or surname in some Spanish-speaking regions, though it is not among the most common place names or family names. The exact prevalence varies by country.

Related terms: It is often contrasted with acostado, which emphasizes lying down flat, and with recargado, which can imply leaning heavily or bearing an undue burden. In practice, recostado emphasizes resting with support and a semi-horizontal orientation.

Examples: “El hombre estaba recostado sobre el sofá, mirando al techo.” “La estatua muestra a una figura recostada en un banco.”