A colorful illustration showing a small, determined child standing at the edge of a narrow, deep canyon, gathering the courage to jump across.

atrevas

ah-TREH-vahs

Verb (conjugated form)B1reflexive er

(that) you dare?Used in the Subjunctive mood,don't you dare?Used in the Negative Command (Imperative)

Also:(that) you venture?To take a risk

Quick Reference

gerundatreviéndose

infinitiveatreverse

past Participleatrevido

📝 In Action

No creo que te atrevas a saltar desde tan alto.

I don't think you dare to jump from that high up.

¡Que no te atrevas a mentirme otra vez!

Don't you dare lie to me again!

Tal vez te atrevas a probar la comida picante esta noche.

Maybe you'll venture to try the spicy food tonight.

Word Connections

Synonyms

osare ((that) you dare)
arriesgues ((that) you risk)

Antonyms

temas ((that) you fear)
acobardes ((that) you get scared)

Common Collocations

que te atrevas a – that you dare to (do something)
no te atrevas jamás – don't you ever dare

💡 Grammar Points

The Special 'te' Requirement

The verb atreverse is reflexive, meaning the action is done to oneself. You must always include the pronoun 'te' (or 'me,' 'se,' etc.) right before 'atrevas' when using it in the subjunctive or negative command.

Subjunctive vs. Command

'Atrevas' is used in two ways: 1) Expressing doubt or desire (e.g., 'Dudo que te atrevas'). 2) Giving a strong negative command ('No te atrevas').

❌ Common Pitfalls

Forgetting the Reflexive Pronoun

Mistake: "No creo que atrevas a hacerlo."

Correction: No creo que *te* atrevas a hacerlo. (The 'te' is essential for this verb.)

Using the Wrong Mood in Commands

Mistake: "No atreves a tocarlo."

Correction: No *te atrevas* a tocarlo. (Negative commands for 'tú' always use the special subjunctive form.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Use for Strong Warnings

The phrase '¡No te atrevas!' is a very strong, dramatic warning, equivalent to 'Don't you dare!' in English. Use it when you want to emphasize a serious boundary.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: atrevas

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'atrevas' correctly as a negative command?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

atreverse(to dare) - verb

atrevido(daring, bold) - adjective

atrevimiento(daring, boldness) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does 'atrevas' sound like a question when it's a command?

'Atrevas' is the special form Spanish uses for wishes, doubts, and *negative* commands (like 'Don't you dare'). It is the negative command for 'tú,' while the positive command is 'atrévete' (Dare!).

Is 'atrevas' used often in everyday conversation?

Yes, especially in the strong negative command '¡No te atrevas!' (Don't you dare!). It is also frequently used in complex sentences expressing doubt or desire, making it essential for intermediate Spanish speakers.