Spanish word

despierto

Pronunciation

IPA/desˈpjeɾto/

Meaning

  • adjectiveawake

Example

Ya estoy despierto.

I'm already awake.

Illustration for despierto (awake)

More examples

¿Estás despierto?

Are you awake?

Core concept

Open eyes and alert posture.

Common phrases

  • estar despierto

    be awake

  • quedarse despierto

    stay awake

  • mantenerse despierto

    keep awake

Similar words

atento: Paying focused attention to a person or task, watching closely and concentrating.
alerta: On guard for danger or change, immediately noticing signs or threats.
listo: Prepared and ready to act at once, with plans or resources in place.
avispado: Quick to understand and respond, practically clever and fast-thinking.

Definition in Spanish

Que no está dormido; por extensión, que tiene rapidez de atención y reacciona con agilidad.

Word origin

Despierto derives from the past participle of despertar 'to wake' and originally means 'woken', later extending metaphorically to denote alertness and quick reactions.

Usage tips

  • Estar despierto indicates physical wakefulness while ser despierto usually signals smartness or quick-wittedness, so the copula helps choose the intended meaning.

Other meanings

  • cleveradjective
  • alertadjective

Opposites

  • dormidoasleepadjective

Related words

Word lists with this word