Spanish Conversation · Level 105
60 words
Spanish word
desobedecer
Pronunciation
IPA/desoβeðeˈθeɾ/
Meaning
- verbdisobey
Example
Los niños desobedecen cuando están cansados.
Children disobey when they are tired.
More examples
Ella decidió desobedecer una orden injusta.
She decided to disobey an unjust order.
Core concept
Willful ignoring of instructions or commands.
Common phrases
desobedecer las reglas
disobey the rules
desobedecer órdenes
disobey orders
desobedecer a los padres
disobey one's parents
Similar words
desoír: Fail to heed someone's call, warning, or advice.
negarse: Intentionally refuse a request or order.
oponerse: Take an opposing stance toward a proposal, plan, or request.
ignorar: Act as if someone's words or presence do not exist.
Definition in Spanish
Negarse a seguir instrucciones o normas; no hacer caso a lo que alguien manda o aconseja.
Word origin
It combines the negative prefix des- with obedecer, which comes from Latin obedīre 'to obey', giving the meaning 'not to obey'.
Usage tips
- Spanish speakers use desobedecer mainly for refusal to follow authority or commands, while casual ignoring of advice often uses no hacer caso instead.
Other meanings
- defyverb
Opposites
- obedecerobeyverb
- acatarcomply withverb
Related words
- desobedienciadisobediencenoun
- desobedientedisobedientadjective