despertar
/despeɾˈtaɾ/
To wake in Spanish is despertar. Wiktionary also lists recordar.
Meaning: to stop sleeping (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| despertar | /despeɾˈtaɾ/ |
| recordar | /rekoɾˈdaɾ/ |
The verb despertar is used when referring to the act of stopping sleep. It is distinct from levantarse, which means 'to get up' (physically leaving the bed).
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form despertar is used transitively when you are waking someone else up, as seen in the example Vete a despertar a Tom. When expressing that one wakes up (the act of waking up oneself), the reflexive form despertarse is typically used instead of the transitive despertar.
How do you pronounce it?
/despeɾˈtaɾ/
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Vete a despertar a Tom.Go and wake Tom up.This sentence shows how to use the transitive form of despertar to wake someone else.Tatoeba #2486047 by Shishir, translation #2429829 by CK
- ¿Me despertarás a las siete?Will you wake me at seven?This sentence uses despertar to ask if someone will wake you at a specific time.Tatoeba #977622 by Shishir, translation #687808 by lukaszpp
- Se olvidaron de despertarme.They forgot to wake me up.This sentence shows how to use the verb despertar in the context of forgetting to wake someone up.Tatoeba #1621922 by Shishir, translation #1619751 by Spamster
- Es importante despertar temprano para comenzar el día con energía.It's important to wake up early to start the day with energy.
- Me gusta despertarme con el sonido de los pájaros.I like to wake myself up with the sound of birds.
- Voy a levantarme temprano mañana para aprovechar el día.I am going to wake up early tomorrow to make the most of the day.
- Oye, ¿ya despertaste?Hey, did you wake up yet?
- Me despierto tarde los fines de semana.I wake up late on weekends.
- ¡No me gusta madrugar los lunes!I don't like waking up early on Mondays!
- 71 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are planning their morning routine.
- AlejandroMañana quiero despertar temprano.Tomorrow I want to wake up early.
- MaríaYo también, pero me cuesta despertar.Me too, but I find it hard to wake up.
- Alejandro¿Puedes ayudarme a despertar a las seis?Can you help me wake up at six?
- MaríaClaro, Alejandro, yo te ayudo.Of course, Alejandro, I will help you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wake” translations and entries despertar, recordar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries despertar, recordar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
