Inklingo

How to Say "to jeopardize" in Spanish

English → Spanish

arriesgar

ah-rrees-GAHR/a.rjesˈɣaɾ/

verbA2formal context
Use this word when you are talking about taking a general risk or putting something in a situation where it might be lost or damaged.
A shiny, valuable golden egg resting precariously on the very edge of a steep, dark cliff, illustrating that the egg is in danger.

Examples

No quiero arriesgar mi dinero en esa inversión.

I don't want to jeopardize my money on that investment.

El presidente arriesgó su reputación con esa decisión.

The president risked his reputation with that decision.

Spelling Change for -GAR Verbs

When conjugating -GAR verbs like 'arriesgar,' you must add a 'u' before an 'e' to keep the hard 'g' sound. This happens in the 'yo' preterite (arriesgué) and throughout the present subjunctive (arriesgue, arriesgues, etc.).

Forgetting the 'u' in the Preterite

Mistake: “Yo arriesgé (incorrect spelling)”

Correction: Yo arriesgué (The 'u' is needed to make the 'g' sound hard, otherwise 'ge' sounds like 'he' in Spanish.)

comprometer

/kom-pro-meh-TEHR//kompɾomeˈteɾ/

verbB1general context
Use this word when you are specifically putting something important, like safety, a reputation, or a deadline, in danger of being negatively affected.
A wooden bridge with a large crack in the middle, making it unsafe to cross.

Examples

No quiero comprometer mi reputación por un error tan pequeño.

I don't want to jeopardize my reputation for such a small mistake.

Mis padres me comprometieron a asistir a la cena familiar.

My parents committed me to attending the family dinner.

Esa decisión podría comprometer el éxito del proyecto.

That decision could compromise the success of the project.

Using it with 'a'

When you use this word to say you are committing someone to do something, follow it with the word 'a' before the next action: 'Me comprometieron a trabajar los domingos'.

Reflexive Power

When you add 'se' to the end (comprometerse), it changes from putting something at risk to making a personal promise or getting engaged to marry someone.

False Friend Alert

Mistake: “Using 'compromiso' to mean a 'compromise' (agreement where both sides give in).”

Correction: In Spanish, a 'compromise' agreement is better called an 'acuerdo' or 'término medio'. 'Compromiso' usually means a commitment or an obligation.

Arriesgar vs. Comprometer

Learners often confuse 'arriesgar' and 'comprometer'. Remember that 'arriesgar' is for general risk-taking, while 'comprometer' is used when you are actively endangering something specific and important.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.