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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.).
intransitive verb
a. to dance
Cientos de parejas bailaban en la plaza.Hundreds of couples were dancing in the square.
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.).
transitive verb
a. to dance
Ella baila salsa y bachata y está aprendiendo kizomba.She dances salsa and bachata and she's learning kizomba.
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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.).
reflexive verb
a. to wake up
Me desperté cuando sonó el despertador.I woke up when the alarm clock went off.
despertar, el despertar
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. to wake up
La policía vino y despertó a todo el edificio.The police came and woke up the whole building.
a. to arouse
Por donde quiera que vaya despierta simpatías.Wherever he goes he arouses sympathy.
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).
masculine noun
a. awakening
Con el despertar de la naturaleza en primavera, florecen muchas flores hermosas.With the awakening of nature in spring, many beautiful flowers bloom.
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