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How to Say "to rebel" in Spanish

English → Spanish

rebelar

verbB1general
Use 'rebelarse' when describing an individual or group's act of resisting authority, control, or established norms, often in a personal or social context.

Examples

Muchos adolescentes quieren rebelarse contra sus padres.

Many teenagers want to rebel against their parents.

alzar

/ahl-ZAHR//alˈθaɾ/

verbC1formal
Use 'alzarse' to describe a collective, often forceful, protest or uprising by a population or significant group against an established power or government.
A large crowd of people standing together with their fists raised in the air.

Examples

El pueblo se alzó contra el dictador.

The people rose up against the dictator.

La montaña se alza majestuosa sobre el valle.

The mountain rises majestically above the valley.

Se alzaron en armas para defender su tierra.

They took up arms (rose up in arms) to defend their land.

Using 'se' for Rebellion

When 'alzar' is used to talk about a group of people rising up or rebelling, you must include the reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nos, os, se). Without it, you are just 'lifting' something.

Rebelarse vs. Alzarse

Learners often confuse 'rebelarse' and 'alzarse' by using the more formal 'alzarse' for everyday acts of defiance. Remember, 'rebelarse' is for general resistance, while 'alzarse' signifies a large-scale, organized revolt.

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