Inklingo

resbalar

rre-sba-lar/resβaˈlaɾ/

resbalar means to slip in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to slip

Also: to slide
VerbA2regular ar
A person slipping on a banana peel on a shiny floor.
gerundresbalando
past Participleresbalado
infinitiveresbalar

📝 In Action

Ten cuidado, puedes resbalar en el suelo mojado.

A2

Be careful, you might slip on the wet floor.

El coche resbaló sobre el hielo.

B1

The car slid over the ice.

Se me resbaló el plato de las manos.

B1

The plate slipped out of my hands.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • suelo resbaladizoslippery floor
  • resbalar accidentalmenteto slip accidentally

to not care

Also: to slide off
VerbB2regular arinformal
A happy duck with water droplets rolling off its back.
gerundresbalando
past Participleresbalado
infinitiveresbalar

📝 In Action

Lo que digan de mí, me resbala.

B2

Whatever they say about me, I don't care (it slides right off me).

A él le resbalan las críticas.

B2

Criticisms don't bother him at all.

No dejes que sus comentarios te resbalen, ¡defiéndete!

C1

Don't let his comments just slide off you; stand up for yourself!

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • dar igual (to not matter)
  • ignorar (to ignore)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • me resbala totalmenteI totally don't care

Idioms & Expressions

  • Me resbalaI don't give a damn / It doesn't affect me

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesresbalaran
yoresbalara
resbalaras
vosotrosresbalarais
nosotrosresbaláramos
él/ella/ustedresbalara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesresbalen
yoresbale
resbales
vosotrosresbaléis
nosotrosresbalemos
él/ella/ustedresbale

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesresbalaron
yoresbalé
resbalaste
vosotrosresbalasteis
nosotrosresbalamos
él/ella/ustedresbaló

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesresbalaban
yoresbalaba
resbalabas
vosotrosresbalabais
nosotrosresbalábamos
él/ella/ustedresbalaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesresbalan
yoresbalo
resbalas
vosotrosresbaláis
nosotrosresbalamos
él/ella/ustedresbala

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "resbalar" in Spanish:

to slideto slip

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: resbalar

Question 1 of 3

How would you say 'I slipped on the street'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
resbaladizo(slippery)Adjective
resbalón(a slip)Noun
resbaladilla(playground slide (Mexico))Noun
resbaladero(playground slide (Spain/others))Noun
🎵 Rhymes
📚 Etymology

From the Spanish prefix 're-' (indicating intensity) and the root 'esbalar', which comes from Vulgar Latin *resubalare, related to moving or sliding.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: resvalar

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'resbalar' and 'patinar'?

Resbalar is usually an accidental slip. Patinar can mean to skid (like a car) or to skate (like ice skating).

Do I always have to use 'me' or 'se' with this word?

Not if the subject is an object (e.g., 'el jabón resbala'). Use 'se' (resbalarse) mainly when a person is the one slipping.

Is 'me resbala' rude?

It is informal and can be slightly dismissive. It's like saying 'I don't give a damn' in a casual way.