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"Bailar" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to dance", and "despertarse" is a reflexive verb which is often translated as "to wake up". Learn more about the difference between "bailar" and "despertarse" below.
bailar(
bay
-
lahr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to be loose
Debo de haber perdido peso porque me bailan los pantalones.I must have lost weight, because my trousers are loose.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to dance
Ella baila salsa y bachata y está aprendiendo kizomba.She dances salsa and bachata and she's learning kizomba.
despertarse(
dehs
-
pehr
-
tahr
-
seh
)A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
despertar, el despertar
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to wake up
La policía vino y despertó a todo el edificio.The police came and woke up the whole building.
4. (to conjure)
a. to awaken
Los olores despertaron viejos recuerdos de la infancia.The smells awakened old childhood memories.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).