Inklingo
← Dictionary

despierte

des-pyer-tedesˈpjeɾte

“despierte” means “wake up” in Spanish (as a formal command (Usted)).

wake up, may I wake up, may he/she/it wake up

Also: arouse, awaken
VerbB1irregular (stem-changing e > ie) ar
Mexico
A person with messy hair is sitting up in a bright, cozy bed, stretching their arms wide toward the ceiling, having just woken up.
infinitivedespertar
gerunddespertando
past Participledespertado

📝 In Action

Señor, despierte, ya es mediodía.

A2

Sir, wake up, it's already noon.

Espero que mi hijo despierte con buen ánimo mañana.

B1

I hope my son wakes up in a good mood tomorrow.

Necesito que su creatividad despierte para el proyecto.

B2

I need his/her creativity to awaken for the project.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • que despierte el interés – that it awakens interest
  • antes de que despierte – before he/she wakes up

Indicative

Present

yodespierto
túdespiertas
él/ella/usteddespierta
nosotrosdespertamos
vosotrosdespertáis
ellos/ellas/ustedesdespiertan

Imperfect

yodespertaba
túdespertabas
él/ella/usteddespertaba
nosotrosdespertábamos
vosotrosdespertabais
ellos/ellas/ustedesdespertaban

Preterite

yodesperté
túdespertaste
él/ella/usteddespertó
nosotrosdespertamos
vosotrosdespertasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesdespertaron

Subjunctive

Present Subjunctive

yodespierte
túdespiertes
él/ella/usteddespierte
nosotrosdespertemos
vosotrosdespertéis
ellos/ellas/ustedesdespierten

Imperfect Subjunctive

yodespertara/despertase
túdespertaras/despertases
él/ella/usteddespertara/despertase
nosotrosdespertáramos/despertásemos
vosotrosdespertarais/despertaseis
ellos/ellas/ustedesdespertaran/despertasen
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "despierte" in Spanish:

arouse→awaken→wake up→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: despierte

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly uses 'despierte' as a formal command?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
muertevierte
📚 Etymology▼

The Spanish verb *despertar* comes from the Latin verb *expergisci* (to wake up) combined with the prefix *des-* (which often means 'un-' or 'reverse the action'). The original meaning was simply the opposite of sleeping.

First recorded: Around the 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: despertarCatalan: despertar

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

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.