To stop an effort and recover from it
Encoding Strategies:
linguistic
Descansar means to rest and is literally to "un0-tire1," which is exactly what resting does.
descansar
to rest
To stop what you're doing so your body or mind can recover.
Necesito descansar un rato antes de seguirI need to rest for a while before continuing
Cierra los ojos para descansar la vistaClose your eyes to rest them
to rest, to rest in peace (euphemism for death)
To be dead and buried, like how we say "may they rest in peace."
Que descanse en pazMay he rest in peace
Mi abuela descansa en el cementerio del puebloMy grandmother rests in the village cemetery
descansar de
to take a break from, to rest from
To take a break from one particular thing. The 'de' names the thing you're taking a break from.
Necesito descansar del trabajoI need a break from work
Descansó de tantas horas de estudioShe took a break from so many hours of studying
descansar en / sobre
to rest on, to sit on (physical support)
For something to be held up by whatever is underneath it, literally resting on it.
La cúpula descansa sobre cuatro columnasThe dome rests on four columns
El tablero descansa en dos caballetesThe board sits on two sawhorses
to rest on, to rely on (figurative)
For an argument, a plan, or a person to depend on something, as if it's being held up by it or resting on it.
Todo el argumento descansa en una sola pruebaThe whole argument rests on a single piece of evidence
Descanso en mi hermana para todoI rely on my sister for everything