me rindo
/me ɾindo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I give up" is translated into Spanish as me rindo.
Me rindo is used to admit defeat or to state that you are stopping an effort because success seems impossible. Depending on the context, it can also mean "I surrender" in the sense of military or physical combat.
Which one should you use?
While me rindo is used for admitting defeat, it can also serve the specific meaning of "I surrender" in combat contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the phrase Me echo atrás is used to express giving up in a situation, literally meaning "I step back".
How do you pronounce it?
/me ɾindo/
Did you know?
- The word rendición for surrender is used in the phrase rendición de cuentas, which means 'accountability'. This refers to the act of 'surrendering' a report of one's spending or actions.
- When someone gives up out of sheer exhaustion rather than defeat, they use the word rendirse to describe being 'spent'. Saying estoy rendido means 'I am exhausted' rather than 'I surrender'.
- The word rindo comes from the same Latin root as the English word 'render', specifically relating to the idea of giving something over or yielding.
Examples in context
- Me rindo. No importa lo que haga, nunca pareces estar satisfecho.I give up. No matter what I do, you never seem to be satisfied.This sentence shows how to express giving up when someone is difficult to please.Tatoeba #1431602 by Shishir, translation #953457 by CK
- Me rindo. ¿Qué tienen en común un sacerdote irlandés y un doctor brujo congoleño?I give up. What do an Irish priest and Congolese witch doctor have in common?This sentence shows how to use the phrase when reacting to a riddle.Tatoeba #1286470 by marcelostockle, translation #601982 by darinmex
- Me rindo.I give up.This is a simple way to state that you give up.Tatoeba #722755 by qdii, translation #241200 by CK
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A man and a woman are playing a difficult board game.
- ElenaEste juego es demasiado difícil para mí.This game is too difficult for me.
- Javier¿Todavía no has ganado?You haven't won yet?
- ElenaNo, me rindo.No, I give up.
- JavierNo te rindas, Elena, ¡casi lo logras!Don't give up, Elena, you almost did it!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries me, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
