How to Say "rebel" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “rebel” is “rebelde” — use 'rebelde' for a general term for someone who opposes or resists authority, whether in a political, social, or even a personal context.
rebelde
reh-BEL-dehreˈβelde
Examples
El niño es un rebelde y no quiere hacer la tarea.
The child is a rebel and doesn't want to do his homework.
El gobierno intentó negociar con los rebeldes en el sur.
The government tried to negotiate with the rebels in the south.
Ella es una rebelde sin causa, solo le gusta llevar la contraria.
She is a rebel without a cause; she just likes to contradict people.
El rebelde fue capturado después de un largo enfrentamiento.
The insurgent was captured after a long confrontation.
Same Form for Both Genders
As a person (noun), 'rebelde' uses the same spelling for male and female. You change the article ('el' or 'la') to show the gender: 'el rebelde' (male rebel) vs. 'la rebelde' (female rebel).
revolucionario
ray-boh-loo-syoh-NAH-ryohreβoluθjoˈnaɾjo
Examples
Los revolucionarios lucharon por la independencia del país.
The revolutionaries fought for the country's independence.
El joven se unió a los revolucionarios en la montaña.
The young man joined the revolutionaries in the mountains.
Muchos revolucionarios fueron encarcelados después de la revuelta.
Many revolutionaries were imprisoned after the revolt.
Ella es una revolucionaria que lucha por los derechos civiles.
She is a revolutionary fighting for civil rights.
Person Nouns
When referring to a person, use 'el revolucionario' for a man and 'la revolucionaria' for a woman.
Article Choice
Mistake: “Un revolucionario famoso fue Juana Azurduy.”
Correction: Una revolucionaria famosa fue Juana Azurduy. (Always use the feminine article and ending for women.)
subversivo
soob-ber-SEE-bosuββeɾˈsiβo
Examples
Se descubrió una red subversiva planeando un atentado.
A subversive network planning an attack was discovered.
El gobierno detuvo a los subversivos.
The government detained the subversives.
Se dice que era un subversivo peligroso.
It is said he was a dangerous subversive.
Los subversivos operaban en la sombra.
The subversives operated in the shadows.
Using it as a person
You can turn the describing word into a person by adding 'el', 'la', 'los', or 'las' in front of it (e.g., 'el subversivo' = the subversive man).
Gender confusion
Mistake: “la subversivo”
Correction: la subversiva (When talking about a woman, you must change the 'o' to an 'a').
General vs. Specific Resistance
Related Translations
Learn Spanish with Inklingo
Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.