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desobedecer

dess-oh-beh-deh-SEHR/desoβeðeˈseɾ/

“desobedecer” means “to disobey” in Spanish (ignoring orders or rules).

to disobey

Also: to defy
VerbB1irregular er
SpainLatin America
A child playing with a toy instead of putting it away in a toy box as instructed.
gerunddesobedeciendo
past Participledesobedecido
infinitivedesobedecer

📝 In Action

El perro desobedece a su dueño a veces.

A1

The dog disobeys his owner sometimes.

Es peligroso desobedecer las señales de tráfico.

A2

It is dangerous to disobey traffic signs.

Los soldados se negaron a desobedecer las órdenes.

B1

The soldiers refused to disobey the orders.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • incumplir (to fail to comply)
  • faltar (to fail (in an obligation))

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • desobedecer una orden – to disobey an order
  • desobedecer la ley – to disobey the law
  • desobedecer a los padres – to disobey parents

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesdesobedecieran
yodesobedeciera
túdesobedecieras
vosotrosdesobedecierais
nosotrosdesobedeciéramos
él/ella/usteddesobedeciera

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesdesobedezcan
yodesobedezca
túdesobedezcas
vosotrosdesobedezcáis
nosotrosdesobedezcamos
él/ella/usteddesobedezca

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesdesobedecieron
yodesobedecí
túdesobedeciste
vosotrosdesobedecisteis
nosotrosdesobedecimos
él/ella/usteddesobedeció

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesdesobedecían
yodesobedecía
túdesobedecías
vosotrosdesobedecíais
nosotrosdesobedecíamos
él/ella/usteddesobedecía

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesdesobedecen
yodesobedezco
túdesobedeces
vosotrosdesobedecéis
nosotrosdesobedecemos
él/ella/usteddesobedece
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "desobedecer" in Spanish:

to defy→to disobey→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: desobedecer

Question 1 of 3

How do you say 'I disobey' in Spanish?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
obediencia(obedience) — Noun
desobediencia(disobedience) — Noun
obediente(obedient) — Adjective
desobediente(disobedient) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From Latin 'des-' (which reverses an action) combined with 'obedescere' (the act of listening to or obeying).

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: disobeyFrench: désobéir

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is desobedecer a regular verb?

No, it is irregular because the 'c' changes to 'zc' in the 'yo' form of the present tense and in the subjunctive.

Can I use this for machines that don't work?

Usually, we use it for people or animals. For machines, it is better to say 'no funciona' (it doesn't work) or 'no responde' (it doesn't respond).

Does it take a direct or indirect object?

It is usually treated as an intransitive verb that uses the 'personal a' for people, appearing like an indirect object structure in many contexts.