atreverse
/atɾebeɾse/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'dare' is translated into Spanish as atreverse.
The verb atreverse means to defy or challenge. You can also use the adjective atrevido to describe a person or an action as being bold or daring.
Meaning: to defy or challenge (verb)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, the colloquial expression jugártela is used to mean 'to dare'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb atreverse is almost always followed by the preposition a when it is followed by an infinitive (e.g., atreverse a).
How do you pronounce it?
/atɾebeɾse/
Did you know?
- If you use the phrase ¡Atrévete! as a command, it can sound more like a provocation to a fight than a supportive encouragement.
- While 'atreverse' is the standard verb, the word atrevido can also describe something that is 'cheeky' or 'impudent' rather than just 'brave'.
- The verb atreverse is reflexive, meaning the action of 'daring' is linguistically reflected back onto the speaker.
Examples in context
- Es mucho mejor atreverse a cosas grandes, a ganar gloriosos triunfos aún si son accidentados por el fracaso, que estar entre esos pobres espíritus que viven en la penumbra gris ajena de la victoria o la derrota.Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.Tatoeba #1247781 by marcelostockle, translation #417553 by Scott
- ¿Osarás enfrentar las consecuencias?Will you dare to face the consequences?
- No se atreve a decir la verdad.He/she doesn't dare to tell the truth.
- ¿Te animas a saltar desde el trampolín?Do you dare to jump off the diving board?
- ¿Te aventuras a ir a aquella montaña?Do you dare to go to that mountain?
- Me atrevo con todoI dare to do anything
- Te reto a comer este chile picanteI dare you to eat this spicy chili
- Te reto a nadar en ese lago heladoI dare you to swim in that icy lake
- ¿Te animas a probar este platillo exótico?Do you dare to try this exotic dish?
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry atreverse, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
