alegrar

Alegrar is a verb in Spanish and Portuguese that means to cause happiness, to cheer up, or to bring joy. It is used transitively with a direct object, as in “alegrar a alguien” in Spanish and “alegrar alguém” in Portuguese. The verb can also appear in reflexive form in both languages, meaning to become happy: “alegrarse” in Spanish and “alegrar‑se” in Portuguese.

Etymology and related forms: The verb derives from the corresponding noun in each language—“alegría” in Spanish and “alegria” in Portuguese, both referring to joy. It is cognate with related Romance-language verbs such as Italian allegrare, and shares the same semantic core of causing or expressing happiness.

Conjugation and usage: In both languages, alegrar follows the regular -ar verb pattern in many tenses. Spanish present tense forms include yo alegro, tú alegras, él/ella alegra, nosotros alegramos, vosotros alegráis, ellos alegran. Portuguese present tense forms include eu alegro, tu alegras, ele/ela alegra, nós alegramos, vós alegrais, eles/elas alegram. The verb can appear in compounds with other verbs or auxiliary constructions, and in many contexts it conveys both a direct action (making someone happy) and a personal emotional response (to feel happiness).

Examples: Spanish — “La noticia nos alegró.” “Me alegro de verte.” Portuguese — “A notícia alegrou a todos.” “Ela se alegrou com a notícia.” Related terms include alegre (happy), alegria/alegría (joy), and the reflexive forms alegrarse/alegrar-se.

See also: alegria, alegre, alegrar-se, laetitia (conceptual cognate in other Romance languages).