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vacilar

ba-see-lar/baθiˈlaɾ/

to tease, to pull someone's leg

Also: to mess with
VerbB1regular arinformal
Spain
A child playfully pulling a funny face and sticking their tongue out at a friend who is laughing.
gerundvacilando
past Participlevacilado
infinitivevacilar

📝 In Action

¡No me vaciles! Sé que me estás mintiendo.

B1

Don't mess with me! I know you're lying to me.

Mis amigos siempre me vacilan por mi corte de pelo.

B1

My friends always tease me about my haircut.

Era broma, solo te estaba vacilando un poco.

A2

It was a joke, I was just pulling your leg a bit.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • bromear (to joke)
  • tomar el pelo (to pull someone's leg)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • vacilar a alguien – to tease someone

to hesitate

Also: to flicker, to waver
VerbB2regular ar
A person standing at a fork in a forest path, looking at both directions with a thoughtful expression.
gerundvacilando
past Participlevacilado
infinitivevacilar

📝 In Action

No vaciló ni un segundo en aceptar la oferta.

B2

He didn't hesitate for a second in accepting the offer.

La llama de la vela empezó a vacilar por el viento.

B2

The candle flame started to flicker because of the wind.

Vaciló un momento antes de responder a la pregunta.

C1

She wavered for a moment before answering the question.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • dudar (to doubt)
  • titubear (to stammer/waver)

Antonyms

  • decidirse (to make up one's mind)
  • confirmar (to confirm)

Common Collocations

  • sin vacilar – without hesitating
  • vacilar en – to hesitate about

to party, to enjoy

VerbB2regular arslang
CubaVenezuela
A group of happy people dancing together under colorful hanging lanterns.
gerundvacilando
past Participlevacilado
infinitivevacilar

📝 In Action

Fuimos a la playa a vacilar con los amigos.

B2

We went to the beach to party and hang out with friends.

¡Qué buena música! Vamos a vacilar un rato.

B2

What great music! Let's vibe/have fun for a while.

Me gusta vacilar la vida.

C1

I like to enjoy life/have a good time.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • aburrirse (to get bored)

Common Collocations

  • un vacilón – a great party / a fun time

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesvacilaran
yovacilara
túvacilaras
vosotrosvacilarais
nosotrosvaciláramos
él/ella/ustedvacilara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesvacilen
yovacile
túvaciles
vosotrosvaciléis
nosotrosvacilemos
él/ella/ustedvacile

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesvacilaron
yovacilé
túvacilaste
vosotrosvacilasteis
nosotrosvacilamos
él/ella/ustedvaciló

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesvacilaban
yovacilaba
túvacilabas
vosotrosvacilabais
nosotrosvacilábamos
él/ella/ustedvacilaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesvacilan
yovacilo
túvacilas
vosotrosvaciláis
nosotrosvacilamos
él/ella/ustedvacila
View All Tenses & Moods →

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✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: vacilar

Question 1 of 3

If your friend makes a joke about your funny shoes, what is he doing?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
vacilación(hesitation) — Noun
vacilante(hesitant/unsteady) — Adjective
vacilón(a joker / a big party) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'vacillare', which means to sway to and fro or to be unsteady.

First recorded: 15th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: vacillateFrench: vaciller

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'vacilar' rude?

It depends on the tone! Usually, it's friendly teasing among friends. However, if used with a stranger, it might seem like you are mocking them.

How is it different from 'bromear'?

'Bromear' is a general word for joking. 'Vacilar' is more specific to teasing a person or pulling their leg.

Can 'vacilar' be used for objects?

Yes, but only for things that are physically unsteady, like a flickering flame or a wobbly table leg.