Inklingo
Dictionary

atrever

ah-treh-BEHRa.tɾeˈβeɾ

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

to dareAlso: 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

Subjunctive

Present Subjunctive

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

Imperfect Subjunctive

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

Indicative

Present

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

Preterite

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

Imperfect

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

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "atrever" in Spanish:

to dareto 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
comersaberperder
📚 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.