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atrever

ah-treh-BEHR/a.tɾeˈβeɾ/

“atrever” means “to dare” in Spanish (to have the courage to do something).

to dare

Also: to venture, to be insolent
VerbB1regular er
Spain
A small bird standing at the edge of a high branch, looking down and preparing to take its first flight.
gerundatreviendo
infinitiveatrever
past Participleatrevido

📝 In Action

No me atrevo a saltar desde tan alto.

A2

I don't dare to jump from so high.

¿Te atreves a decirle la verdad a tu madre?

B1

Do you dare to tell your mother the truth?

Se atrevió a pedir un aumento el primer día de trabajo.

B2

He ventured to ask for a raise on his first day of work.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • arriesgarse (to risk oneself)
  • osar (to dare (more formal))

Antonyms

  • acobardarse (to get cold feet)
  • temer (to fear)

Common Collocations

  • atreverse a decir – to dare to say
  • atreverse con todo – to be ready for anything
  • ni te atrevas – don't you dare

Idioms & Expressions

  • el que no se atreve, no cruza el mar – nothing ventured, nothing gained

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

present

yome atreva
nosotrosnos atrevamos
vosotrosos atreváis
él/ella/ustedse atreva
ellos/ellas/ustedesse atrevan
túte atrevas

imperfect

yome atreviera
nosotrosnos atreviéramos
vosotrosos atrevierais
él/ella/ustedse atreviera
ellos/ellas/ustedesse atrevieran
túte atrevieras

indicative

present

yome atrevo
nosotrosnos atrevemos
vosotrosos atrevéis
él/ella/ustedse atreve
ellos/ellas/ustedesse atreven
túte atreves

preterite

yome atreví
nosotrosnos atrevimos
vosotrosos atrevisteis
él/ella/ustedse atrevió
ellos/ellas/ustedesse atrevieron
túte atreviste

imperfect

yome atrevía
nosotrosnos atrevíamos
vosotrosos atrevíais
él/ella/ustedse atrevía
ellos/ellas/ustedesse atrevían
túte atrevías
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "atrever" in Spanish:

to dare→to venture→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: atrever

Question 1 of 3

How do you say 'I don't dare'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
atrevido(daring / bold) — Adjective
atrevimiento(audacity / boldness) — Noun
desatentado(inconsiderate) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Vulgar Latin 'adtribere,' which evolved from 'attribuere' (to attribute). Over time, the meaning shifted from 'attributing something to oneself' to 'taking the liberty or courage to do something.'

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: atrever-seItalian: attribuire (related root)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'atrever' always reflexive?

In modern Spanish, yes. You will almost never see it without the me/te/se/nos/os pronouns.

What is the difference between 'atreverse' and 'osar'?

'Atreverse' is used every day, while 'osar' is very formal and mostly found in literature or old speeches.

Can I use 'atreverse' to mean 'to be rude'?

Yes! When you say 'Se atrevió con el profesor,' it implies the person was disrespectful or crossed a line with the teacher.