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arriesgar

ah-rrees-GAHRa.rjesˈɣaɾ

“arriesgar” means “to risk” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to risk

Also: to jeopardize, to hazard
VerbA2regular (-ar), but with spelling change (g to gu) in some tenses to keep the hard 'g' sound. ar
A shiny, valuable golden egg resting precariously on the very edge of a steep, dark cliff, illustrating that the egg is in danger.
past Participlearriesgado
infinitivearriesgar
gerundarriesgando

📝 In Action

No quiero arriesgar mi dinero en esa inversión.

A2

I don't want to risk my money on that investment.

El presidente arriesgó su reputación con esa decisión.

B1

The president risked his reputation with that decision.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • poner en peligro (to put in danger)
  • aventurar (to venture)

Antonyms

  • proteger (to protect)
  • salvaguardar (to safeguard)

Common Collocations

  • arriesgar la vida – to risk one's life
  • arriesgar el pellejo – to risk one's neck (informal)

to take a risk, to take a chance

Also: to dare
VerbB1Reflexive form: arriesgarse (to risk oneself) ar
A small, adventurous cartoon rabbit is mid-air, leaping across a wide, deep canyon gap toward a safe ledge on the far side.

📝 In Action

Tienes que arriesgarte si quieres ganar la lotería.

B1

You have to take a risk if you want to win the lottery.

Me arriesgué a hablar con mi jefe sobre el aumento.

B2

I risked speaking (I took a chance and spoke) to my boss about the raise.

Ellos se arriesgaron a viajar sin reservaciones.

B2

They risked traveling without reservations.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • osar (to dare)
  • jugársela (to go for it (informal))

Antonyms

  • ser cauteloso (to be cautious)

Common Collocations

  • arriesgarse a hacer algo – to risk doing something
  • es mejor no arriesgarse – it's better not to take a risk

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

vosotrosarriesgáis
él/ella/ustedarriesga
túarriesgas
yoarriesgo
nosotrosarriesgamos
ellos/ellas/ustedesarriesgan

preterite

vosotrosarriesgasteis
él/ella/ustedarriesgó
túarriesgaste
yoarriesgué
nosotrosarriesgamos
ellos/ellas/ustedesarriesgaron

imperfect

vosotrosarriesgabais
él/ella/ustedarriesgaba
túarriesgabas
yoarriesgaba
nosotrosarriesgábamos
ellos/ellas/ustedesarriesgaban

subjunctive

present

vosotrosarriesguéis
él/ella/ustedarriesgue
túarriesgues
yoarriesgue
nosotrosarriesguemos
ellos/ellas/ustedesarriesguen

imperfect

vosotrosarriesgarais
él/ella/ustedarriesgara
túarriesgaras
yoarriesgara
nosotrosarriesgáramos
ellos/ellas/ustedesarriesgaran
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "arriesgar" in Spanish:

to dare→to hazard→to jeopardize→to risk→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: arriesgar

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses the reflexive form 'arriesgarse' correctly?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
el riesgo(the risk) — Noun
arriesgado(risky / daring) — Adjective
arriesgadamente(riskily / daringly) — Adverb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Formed from the Spanish noun 'riesgo' (risk), which itself comes from the Italian 'rischio' and eventually the Latin 'risicare' or 'resecare,' relating to cutting or navigating dangerous rocks at sea. It implies facing danger intentionally.

First recorded: Medieval Spanish (15th century)

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: rischiareFrench: risquer

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'arriesgar' and 'arriesgarse'?

'Arriesgar' is usually followed by an object (what you are risking): 'arriesgar dinero' (risk money). 'Arriesgarse' means 'to take a risk' or 'to dare,' and is used when *you* are the one facing the danger: 'Me arriesgué a saltar' (I took the risk of jumping).

Is 'arriesgar' used often in conversation?

Yes, it is a high-frequency verb, especially in its reflexive form ('arriesgarse'), which is essential for talking about choices, chances, and boldness.