despertar

[dɛʃpɛɾˈtaɾ]

verb

to wake up, to awaken

1. to stop sleeping; to wake from sleep

I woke up early this morning.

Acordei cedo esta manhã. / Despertei cedo esta manhã.

2. to rouse someone from sleep

The alarm clock awakened me at 6 AM.

O despertador me despertou às 6 da manhã.

3. to arouse interest, emotion, or awareness

Her speech awakened the audience's curiosity.

Seu discurso despertou a curiosidade da audiência.

4. to emerge or come into being

A new hope awakened in his heart.

Uma nova esperança despertou em seu coração.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Regional Variations

General Brazilian

despertar / acordar

Both terms are commonly used; 'acordar' is more frequent in everyday speech

Rio de Janeiro

acordar

Preferred colloquial form over 'despertar'

São Paulo

acordar

Standard usage; 'despertar' is more literary

Portugal

despertar / acordar

'Despertar' is more formal and literary; 'acordar' is everyday usage

despertar de um sonho - to wake from a dream; to face reality

despertar sentimentos - to awaken feelings

despertar interesse - to spark interest

despertar a consciência - to raise awareness

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