rendirse
/rendiɾse/from spelling rules
To give up in Spanish is rendirse.
rendirse is used when you stop resisting an opponent or admit defeat in a struggle. If you are talking about giving up a specific task or a goal, the formal term abandonar is often used. If you mean giving up after a great deal of effort, the formal term desistir is more appropriate.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb rendirse is composed of rendir (to yield or render) and the reflexive pronoun se (oneself), meaning 'to surrender oneself'.
Which one should you use?
While rendirse means to surrender or admit defeat, do not use it for 'giving up' a habit, such as smoking. In those cases, you should use dejar or abandonar.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because rendirse is a reflexive verb, you must use a reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nos, os, se) when conjugating it to show that the subject is the person surrendering, such as in the phrase se rindió (he/she/it gave up). The noun form of this verb is rendición.
How do you pronounce it?
/rendiɾse/
Did you know?
- The English word 'render' shares the same root as rendirse, originally coming from the Latin reddere meaning 'to give back'.
- In a legal or official context, rendir cuentas means 'to give an account' or 'to be held accountable', which has nothing to do with admitting defeat.
- Depending on the context, rendir can also mean 'to perform' or 'to take' an exam, as in rendir un examen.
Examples in context
- Tom se rehusó a rendirse.Tom refused to give up.This sentence shows how to use rendirse with a refusal.Tatoeba #1991947 by marcelostockle, translation #1024283 by CK
- Lo más importante es no rendirse.The most important thing is not to give up.This sentence illustrates how to use rendirse in a negative context.Tatoeba #4271880 by Shishir, translation #3459828 by AlanF_US
- Es demasiado orgulloso para rendirse.He is too proud to give up.This sentence shows how to use rendirse to describe someone's pride.Tatoeba #1119979 by Shishir, translation #293172 by CK
- No podemos rendirnos ahoraWe cannot give up now
- Decidieron abandonar el proyectoThey decided to give up on the project
- El equipo desistió después de varios intentosThe team gave up after several attempts
- Decidí tirar la toalla en ese proyectoI decided to give up on that project
- Mi amiga largó los estudiosMy friend gave up on her studies
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry rendirse, 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.
