despierte
des-pyer-te
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
Señor, despierte, ya es mediodía.
A2Sir, wake up, it's already noon.
Espero que mi hijo despierte con buen ánimo mañana.
B1I hope my son wakes up in a good mood tomorrow.
Necesito que su creatividad despierte para el proyecto.
B2I need his/her creativity to awaken for the project.
💡 Grammar Points
Formal Command
When giving a polite, formal instruction to someone you address as 'Usted', you use the 'despierte' form. This is the same form as the subjunctive.
The Special Subjunctive Form
'Despierte' is a special verb form (the present subjunctive) used when you express wishes, doubts, emotions, or necessities about someone else's actions, often after words like 'espero que' (I hope that) or 'necesito que' (I need that).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the Stem Change
Mistake: "Using *desperte* instead of *despierte*."
Correction: The verb *despertar* changes its 'e' to 'ie' in almost all forms except for the 'nosotros' and 'vosotros' forms. Remember the pattern: E -> IE.
Confusing Command Levels
Mistake: "Using 'despierte' for a casual friend (Tú)."
Correction: Use 'despierta' for friends and family (Tú command). Use 'despierte' only for formal situations (Usted command).
⭐ Usage Tips
Reflexive vs. Non-Reflexive
To say 'wake oneself up' (to wake up) use 'despertarse' (e.g., 'que se despierte'). To wake up someone else, use 'despertar' (e.g., 'que despierte a su hermano').
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: despierte
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'despierte' as a formal command?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'despierte' always used for waking someone up?
Not always! While it literally means 'wake up,' it can also be used figuratively, like 'que despierte la pasión' (that passion awakens), meaning to inspire or arouse a feeling or idea.
What is the difference between 'despierte' and 'despierta'?
'Despierte' is the polite, formal command (Usted) or the special subjunctive form. 'Despierta' is the casual command (Tú) used for friends and family.