Inklingo
Dictionary

arriesgar

ah-rrees-GAHRa.rjesˈɣaɾ

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

to riskA2Verb

to put something in danger

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to take a riskB1Verb

to put oneself in a risky situation

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to riskAlso: 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 chanceAlso: 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

Indicative

Present

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

Preterite

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

Imperfect

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

Subjunctive

Present Subjunctive

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

Imperfect Subjunctive

yoarriesgara
túarriesgaras
él/ella/ustedarriesgara
nosotrosarriesgáramos
vosotrosarriesgarais
ellos/ellas/ustedesarriesgaran
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Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "arriesgar" in Spanish:

to dareto hazardto jeopardizeto 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
cargarllegar
📚 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.