mantente alerta
/mantente aleɾta/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'stay woke' can be translated into Spanish as mantente alerta.
While 'stay woke' in English often carries a specific political or social connotation regarding systemic injustice, mantente alerta in Spanish is more commonly understood as a literal instruction to be vigilant or watchful for danger.
How do you pronounce it?
/mantente aleɾta/
Did you know?
- The word alerta has a vertical origin, tracing back to the Italian all'erta which literally means 'to the height'.
- Spanish has the word despierto, which means 'awake', but using it in mantente despierto almost always refers to physical sleep rather than social awareness.
- To express the political nuance of 'stay woke' without using mantente alerta, activists often use the English word 'woke' as a loanword or the phrase conciencia social.
Examples in context
- Estoy pendiente de lo que está pasando en el mundoI am aware of what is happening in the world
- Es importante mantenerse alerta en la lucha contra la discriminación racial.It is important to stay alert in the fight against racial discrimination.
- Varios movimientos sociales nos han recordado la necesidad de permanecer despiertos ante las injusticias.Various social movements have reminded us of the need to stay awake to injustices.
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are discussing social issues.
- MateoTenemos que luchar contra la injusticia.We have to fight against injustice.
- ElenaEstoy de acuerdo contigo, Mateo.I agree with you, Mateo.
- MateoEntonces, mantente alerta y cuestiona todo.Then, stay woke and question everything.
- ElenaAsí lo haré, gracias.I will do that, thanks.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries alerta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
