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"Despierto" is a form of "despertar", a transitive verb which is often translated as "to wake up". "Primero" is an adjective which is often translated as "first". Learn more about the difference between "despierto" and "primero" below.
despertar, el despertar(
dehs
-
pehr
-
tahr
)
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.
despertarse
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.
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primero(
pree
-
meh
-
roh
)
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
adjective
a. first
Los países se enumeran en la primera fila de la tabla.The countries are listed in the first row of the table.
a. first
El partido se canceló tras el primer tiempo.The match was canceled after the first half.
a. main
Nuestro primer objetivo es reducir gastos.Our main objective is to reduce expenses.
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
adverb
a. first
Primero oí la explosión y luego vi el fuego.First I heard the explosion and then I saw the fire.
a. rather
Primero me muero antes de montar esa montaña rusa.I'd rather die than go on that roller coaster.
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
masculine or feminine noun
a. the best
Era el primero en matemáticas en séptimo grado.I was the best in mathematics in seventh grade.
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