macerar

Senses

1. 1.

   to macerate, to soak

   to soften or break down by soaking in liquid

2. 2.

   to marinate

   to soak food (especially fruit or meat) in liquid to enhance flavor or preserve

3. 3.

   to mortify, to torment

   to afflict or cause suffering, especially to oneself (figurative/literary)

Examples

• "Deixe as frutas macerarem no açúcar por algumas horas antes de fazer a geleia."

  Let the fruits macerate in sugar for a few hours before making the jam.

• "O chef macerou a carne no vinho tinto durante a noite toda."

  The chef marinated the meat in red wine all night long.

• "Ela se macerava com sentimentos de culpa após o incidente."

  She tormented herself with feelings of guilt after the incident.

Usage

Most commonly used in culinary contexts. The reflexive form "macerar-se" (to torment/mortify oneself) is literary and less common in everyday speech. Common collocations include "macerar frutas" (macerate fruit) and "macerar carne" (marinate meat).