Why Atreverse Is the Verb of Daring
Atreverse is the verb of daring: speaking up, taking a risk, doing something that scares you a little. It is always used with a pronoun (me atrevo, te atreves, se atreve, nos atrevemos, se atreven) and it is regular.
It sounds bigger than it is. Learn the six chunks below and you can use it in everyday conversation, from shy hesitation to open challenge.
Pattern 1: Atreverse a… — "To dare to…"
Use a plus an infinitive for what you dare to do. It is most often heard in the negative: no me atrevo a… says you are too nervous or shy. For trying things, see [Intentar] Chunks.
- No me atrevo a decírselo. — I don't dare tell him.
- ¿Te atreves a saltar? — Do you dare to jump?
- Nadie se atrevió a hablar. — Nobody dared to speak.
Chunk to learn:
(No) atreverse a + [infinitivo]
Pattern 2: ¿A que no te atreves? — "Bet you don't dare"
The classic playground challenge, still used by adults. It literally asks "bet you won't dare?" and it works best with a grin. Answer with ¡atrévete!.
- ¿A que no te atreves? — Bet you don't dare.
- ¡Atrévete! — Go on, dare to!
- Si te atreves, ven conmigo. — If you dare, come with me.
Chunk to learn:
¿A que no te atreves? / ¡Atrévete! / Si te atreves…
Pattern 3: ¿Cómo te atreves? — "How dare you?"
Said in anger when someone crosses a line. Use ¿cómo se atreve usted? to a stranger or someone you address formally. For more on speaking to people, see [Hablar] Chunks.
- ¿Cómo te atreves a hablarme así? — How dare you speak to me like that?
- ¿Cómo se atreve usted? — How dare you? (formal)
- No sé cómo se atreve a venir. — I don't know how he dares to show up.
Chunk to learn:
¿Cómo te atreves a + [infinitivo]?
Pattern 4: Atreverse con… — "To take something on"
With con plus a noun, it means feeling up to facing something: food, an exam, a language, a challenge. For the similar poder con, see [Poder] Chunks.
- ¿Te atreves con el picante? — Do you dare to try the spicy food?
- No me atrevo con ese examen. — I don't feel up to that exam.
- Se atreve con todo. — She'll take on anything.
Chunk to learn:
Atreverse con + [algo]
Pattern 5: ¡Qué atrevido! — "How bold! / What nerve!"
The adjective atrevido / atrevida means bold. It can be a compliment (daring clothes, brave ideas) or a criticism (cheeky, rude). ¡Qué atrevimiento! says "what nerve!". For ser, see Ser vs. Estar Chunks.
- Es muy atrevida y no tiene miedo a nada. — She's very bold and afraid of nothing.
- Qué atrevido eres, ni me conoces. — How cheeky you are, you don't even know me.
- Es un vestido muy atrevido. — It's a very daring dress.
Chunk to learn:
Ser atrevido/a / ¡Qué atrevido! / ¡Qué atrevimiento!
Pattern 6: Me atrevería a decir que… — "I would venture to say…"
A polished chunk for sharing an opinion you are not completely sure about. Use the simple me atrevo a decir for a firmer claim. For the conditional, see Conditional Chunks; for decir, see [Decir] Chunks.
- Me atrevería a decir que es el mejor restaurante de la ciudad. — I'd venture to say it's the best restaurant in town.
- Me atrevo a decir que tienes razón. — I dare say you're right.
- Yo me atrevería a decir que no vendrá. — I'd venture to say he won't come.
Chunk to learn:
Me atrevo a decir que… / Me atrevería a decir que…
Atreverse vs. Animarse vs. Tener Miedo
Atreverse says you have the courage: me atrevo a hablar. Animarse says you feel encouraged or willing: me animo a ir. Tener miedo says what stops you: tengo miedo de hablar. If you are shy, you will say no me atrevo; if you are persuaded, you will say me animo.
Start with no me atrevo a… and ¡atrévete!. You will use both the first time a friend dares you to try something new.
This post is part of the Spanish Chunk Series — a growing collection of chunk patterns for natural Spanish.