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B2 noun 12 دقیقه مطالعه

revés

مثال‌ها
توضیح revés in your Level:
At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn Spanish. You might not hear the word 'revés' used as a 'setback' very often because that is a more advanced idea. However, there is one very important way you will use this word: the phrase 'al revés'. 'Al revés' means 'upside down', 'inside out', or 'backwards'. Imagine you put your shirt on, but the tag is on the outside. A Spanish speaker will tell you, 'Tu camisa está al revés'. This is a very common phrase in daily life. You can also use it if someone holds a book upside down or if they are doing something the wrong way. It is a fun and easy phrase to remember. Just think of the word 'reverse' in English. When something is 'al revés', it is in reverse. It is backwards! Practice saying 'al revés' when you see things that are upside down. For example, if a picture on the wall is upside down, you can point and say '¡Está al revés!'. This simple phrase will help you sound much more natural when you speak Spanish with your friends and teachers.
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At the A2 level, you are building your vocabulary for everyday situations. You already know that 'al revés' means backwards or upside down. Now, you can start using it in more conversations. For example, if you are explaining directions and you make a mistake, you can say 'No, perdón, es al revés' (No, sorry, it's the other way around). You might also hear the word 'revés' if you like sports. If you watch tennis on television in Spanish, the commentators will say 'revés' to talk about a backhand hit. So, if your favorite player hits the ball with the back of their hand, that is 'un revés'. You can practice by talking about sports: 'Me gusta el revés de ese jugador' (I like that player's backhand). Also, remember that 'al revés' can mean 'the opposite'. If a friend says, 'I think you are angry with me', you can reply, 'No, al revés, estoy muy feliz' (No, the opposite, I am very happy). This makes your Spanish sound much more conversational and friendly. Keep practicing these uses, and you will understand a lot more when people speak to you.
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At the B1 level, you are ready to understand the more advanced meanings of 'revés'. While you still use 'al revés' for 'backwards' or 'on the contrary', you will now start hearing 'revés' used as a noun to mean a 'setback' or a 'problem'. When a plan goes wrong, Spanish speakers call it 'un revés'. You will often hear this with the verb 'sufrir' (to suffer). For example, 'El equipo sufrió un revés' means 'The team suffered a setback'. This is very common in news reports or when people talk about their work or projects. If you are planning a trip and your flight is canceled, that is 'un revés'. You can tell your friends, 'Tuvimos un pequeño revés con el viaje' (We had a small setback with the trip). It is a great word to use when you want to explain that something bad happened, but it is not a complete disaster. It shows that you have a good vocabulary and can talk about complicated situations. Remember that the plural is 'reveses', without the accent mark. 'La vida tiene muchos reveses' (Life has many setbacks).
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At the B2 level, 'revés' becomes an essential part of your active vocabulary, particularly for discussing abstract concepts, news, business, and politics. You are expected to use it fluently to describe setbacks and misfortunes. The collocation 'sufrir un revés' is standard, but you can elevate your Spanish by adding descriptive adjectives: 'un duro revés' (a harsh setback), 'un revés inesperado' (an unexpected setback), or 'un serio revés' (a serious setback). For instance, 'La economía sufrió un duro revés este año' (The economy suffered a harsh setback this year). You should also be comfortable using 'el revés de la medalla' (the other side of the coin), a common idiom used to introduce a contrasting point or a negative consequence of a seemingly positive situation. Furthermore, your use of 'al revés' should now be fluid in debates to mean 'vice versa' or 'on the contrary'. When someone assumes an incorrect sequence of events, you can correct them with 'No fue así, ocurrió exactamente al revés'. Mastering these nuances demonstrates a strong command of conversational flow and the ability to articulate complex professional and personal challenges accurately.
At the C1 level, your use of 'revés' should be sophisticated and highly nuanced, matching that of an educated native speaker. You understand that 'revés' is not just a simple translation of 'setback', but a word that carries a specific weight in discourse. You will seamlessly integrate it into complex sentences dealing with political fallout, legal defeats, or corporate strategies. For example, 'El fallo del tribunal supremo supuso un revés sin precedentes para la administración actual' (The supreme court's ruling meant an unprecedented setback for the current administration). Notice the use of 'supuso' (meant/represented) instead of just 'sufrió', adding variety to your verb choices. You are also fully aware of its literary and physical connotations, such as 'un revés' meaning a backhand slap in a dramatic context ('Le propinó un revés en el rostro'). Additionally, you manipulate idiomatic expressions effortlessly, using 'al revés' not just for physical orientation, but to describe chaotic situations: 'Me tienes la cabeza al revés' (You have my head spinning/confused) or 'El mundo está al revés' (The world is upside down/crazy). Your pluralization ('reveses') and stress placement are flawless.
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At the C2 level, 'revés' is a tool you wield with absolute precision, utilizing its full spectrum of meanings—from the strictly literal to the highly metaphorical—without hesitation. You grasp the subtle etymological connections to 'reverso' and employ 'revés' in nuanced literary, rhetorical, and academic contexts. You can eloquently discuss the 'reveses de la fortuna' (reversals of fortune) in a historical or philosophical debate. You recognize regional variations, such as the preference for 'del revés' in Peninsular Spanish versus 'al revés' in Latin America, and can adapt your register accordingly. Your vocabulary includes advanced collocations like 'encajar un revés' (to absorb/take a setback) or 'reponerse de un revés' (to recover from a setback). You might write an essay stating, 'Lejos de amedrentarse ante los continuos reveses, la coalición forjó una estrategia resiliente'. You also appreciate the irony in phrases like 'hacer las cosas al revés', using it to critique systemic inefficiencies. At this mastery level, 'revés' is deeply integrated into your linguistic repertoire, allowing you to express complex adversity, physical orientation, and rhetorical contrast with native-like elegance.
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مثال‌ها
The Spanish word 'revés' is a highly versatile noun that carries multiple layers of meaning depending entirely on the context in which it is used. At its core, 'revés' refers to the back, the reverse, or the opposite side of something. However, as learners progress to the B2 level and beyond, they will encounter its most common figurative meaning: a setback, a reversal of fortune, or an unfortunate turn of events. Understanding how and when native speakers use this word is crucial for achieving fluency and grasping the nuances of conversational and formal Spanish alike. Let us delve deeply into the various applications of this fascinating word.
Primary Figurative Meaning
When used figuratively, 'revés' means a setback or misfortune. It is frequently paired with verbs like 'sufrir' (to suffer) or 'experimentar' (to experience), highlighting a moment when plans go awry or unexpected difficulties arise.
In professional, economic, or personal contexts, you will often hear people lamenting a 'duro revés' (a hard setback). This usage is ubiquitous in news broadcasts, business reports, and daily conversations about life's challenges.

La empresa sufrió un duro revés económico este trimestre.

Beyond the figurative sense, 'revés' literally translates to the back or reverse side of a physical object. For instance, the back of a medal, the wrong side of a piece of fabric, or the back of a page.
Literal Meaning
The physical reverse side of an object, such as a coin, a piece of clothing, or a document. It implies the side not normally displayed or intended to be seen first.
This literal meaning gives rise to the extremely common adverbial phrase 'al revés', which translates to 'upside down', 'inside out', 'backwards', or 'the other way around'.

No, no es así, lo estás haciendo todo al revés.

In the realm of sports, particularly tennis and padel, 'revés' refers to a backhand stroke. This is a very specific but widely recognized usage. If you are watching a tennis match in Spanish, you will hear the commentators praise a player's 'revés a dos manos' (two-handed backhand).

Rafael Nadal tiene un revés increíblemente potente.

Another context where 'revés' appears is in physical altercations, meaning a backhand slap (un golpe dado con el dorso de la mano). While less common in polite conversation, it frequently appears in literature and dramatic storytelling.
Physical Action
A strike or slap delivered with the back of the hand. This usage is dramatic and often found in historical novels or intense cinematic dialogue.
To master 'revés', one must pay close attention to the accompanying prepositions and verbs. For setbacks, it is 'sufrir un revés'. For the opposite orientation, it is 'al revés'.

El plan político sufrió un revés inesperado en el congreso.

Le dio un golpe de revés que lo dejó aturdido.

In summary, 'revés' is a multifaceted word that bridges the gap between literal physical orientation, sporting terminology, and sophisticated metaphorical expressions of hardship. By recognizing these distinct contexts, English speakers can significantly enrich their Spanish vocabulary and express complex situations with native-like precision.
Using 'revés' correctly in sentences requires an understanding of its various grammatical structures and collocations. The most prevalent construction you will encounter, especially in news media and formal discussions, is 'sufrir un revés'. This phrase is used to describe experiencing a setback.
Verb Collocations
The noun 'revés' (setback) is almost exclusively paired with verbs of experiencing or enduring, such as sufrir (to suffer), experimentar (to experience), llevarse (to take/receive), and suponer (to suppose/mean).
For example, if a company's profits drop unexpectedly, a journalist might say that the company suffered a setback.

El equipo sufrió un revés importante al perder a su capitán por lesión.

You can also use adjectives to modify the intensity of the setback. Common adjectives include 'duro' (hard/severe), 'importante' (significant), 'inesperado' (unexpected), and 'serio' (serious).

La cancelación del vuelo fue un serio revés para nuestras vacaciones.

When using 'revés' to mean the back or reverse side of something, it is typically introduced by the preposition 'el' or 'un', followed by 'de'.
Physical Reverse
Use 'el revés de [object]' to refer to the back side of something, such as a coin, a page, or a piece of fabric.

Escribe tu número de teléfono en el revés del recibo.

The most frequent everyday usage, however, is the adverbial phrase 'al revés'. This phrase is incredibly versatile. It can mean 'upside down', 'inside out', 'backwards', or 'the other way around'. It is often used with verbs of action like 'poner' (to put), 'hacer' (to do), or 'estar' (to be).

El niño se puso los calcetines al revés.

Sports Context
In sports, 'revés' stands alone as a noun meaning backhand. It can be modified by phrases indicating how it is performed, like 'a una mano' or 'a dos manos'.

El tenista ganó el punto con un magnífico revés cruzado.

By practicing these specific sentence patterns—sufrir un revés, el revés de algo, al revés, and un golpe de revés—you will be able to deploy this vocabulary word with confidence across a wide spectrum of conversational and written scenarios.
The word 'revés' is pervasive in the Spanish-speaking world, appearing in a multitude of contexts ranging from formal journalism to casual household banter. Understanding where you are most likely to encounter it will help you anticipate its meaning and respond appropriately. One of the most common arenas for the word 'revés' is in the news media, particularly in sections dedicated to politics, economics, and international affairs.
Journalism and News
News anchors and journalists frequently use 'revés' to describe political defeats, economic downturns, or legal setbacks. It adds a tone of gravity and formality to the reporting.

El gobierno ha sufrido un revés judicial tras la anulación de la ley.

In the business world, 'revés' is a standard term during meetings, financial reviews, and corporate communications. When a product launch fails or a key client is lost, professionals will refer to the event as a 'revés comercial' or 'revés financiero'.

A pesar del revés inicial, la empresa logró recuperar sus ganancias.

Transitioning to everyday life, the phrase 'al revés' is heard constantly in domestic settings. Parents use it when correcting children who have put their shoes on the wrong feet or their shirts on inside out.
Household and Daily Life
The phrase 'al revés' is an essential part of daily vocabulary, used to indicate that something is backwards, inverted, or the opposite of what it should be.

Mira bien el mapa, lo estás sosteniendo al revés.

In the realm of sports broadcasting, 'revés' is the definitive term for a backhand. If you tune into a tennis, padel, or table tennis match on a Spanish sports channel, you will hear this word dozens of times per hour.

Ese golpe de revés a la línea fue absolutamente imparable.

Literature and Storytelling
In literature, 'revés' often appears in dramatic contexts, either as a sudden misfortune befalling a protagonist or as a physical backhand strike during a confrontation.

El destino le tenía preparado un cruel revés.

By familiarizing yourself with these diverse environments—from the boardroom and the news desk to the tennis court and the living room—you will develop a well-rounded and intuitive grasp of the word 'revés'.
When learning the word 'revés', English speakers frequently encounter several stumbling blocks due to direct translation errors and confusion over its multiple meanings. Addressing these common mistakes early on will significantly improve your accuracy and naturalness in Spanish. The most prevalent error is confusing the phrase 'al revés' with the noun 'un revés'.
Noun vs. Adverbial Phrase
'Un revés' is a noun meaning a setback or a backhand. 'Al revés' is an adverbial phrase meaning upside down, inside out, or backwards. Do not use 'un revés' when you mean 'backwards'.

INCORRECTO: Llevas la camisa un revés. CORRECTO: Llevas la camisa al revés.

Another common pitfall involves the pluralization and spelling of the word. 'Revés' ends in an 's' and carries a written accent (tilde) on the final 'e' because it is an oxytone word (palabra aguda) ending in 's'. When pluralized, the accent is dropped because the stress naturally falls on the penultimate syllable according to Spanish spelling rules.

La vida está llena de reveses inesperados.

Learners also tend to misuse verbs associated with 'revés' when meaning a setback. While in English we might say 'we hit a setback' or 'we had a setback', in Spanish, the most natural verb is 'sufrir' (to suffer).
Verb Choice
Avoid translating 'to have a setback' directly as 'tener un revés'. While understandable, 'sufrir un revés' is the standard and far more natural collocation in Spanish.

Nuestro proyecto sufrió un revés financiero.

Additionally, English speakers sometimes confuse 'el revés' (the back/reverse side) with 'la parte de atrás' (the back part). While they can be synonymous, 'el revés' specifically implies the opposite surface of a two-sided object (like a coin or fabric), whereas 'la parte de atrás' simply means the rear area of something (like the back of a house).
Revés vs. Parte de atrás
Use 'el revés' for coins, medals, fabrics, and pages. Use 'la parte de atrás' for buildings, cars, or general locations.

El jardín está en la parte de atrás de la casa. (Not 'el revés de la casa').

Fue un revés trágico para la familia.

By being mindful of the noun versus the phrase 'al revés', memorizing the correct plural form 'reveses', utilizing the verb 'sufrir', distinguishing it from 'la parte de atrás', and respecting its masculine gender, you will avoid the most common errors associated with this word.
Expanding your vocabulary means not only knowing a word but also understanding its synonyms and nuances. 'Revés' has several alternatives depending on which of its meanings you wish to convey. Let us explore the most common synonyms for 'revés' in its various contexts, starting with its primary figurative meaning: a setback.
Contratiempo
A 'contratiempo' is a minor setback, a hitch, or a delay. It is generally less severe than a 'revés'. If you miss a bus, that is a contratiempo; if your business goes bankrupt, that is a revés.

Tuvimos un pequeño contratiempo, pero llegaremos a tiempo.

Another excellent synonym for a setback or misfortune is 'tropiezo'. Literally meaning a stumble or trip, it is used figuratively to describe a mistake or a temporary failure.
Tropiezo
This word implies a temporary stumble rather than a permanent defeat. It suggests that recovery is imminent.

Ese fracaso fue solo un tropiezo en su brillante carrera.

When referring to a severe misfortune or stroke of bad luck, 'desgracia' or 'infortunio' can be used. These carry a much heavier, more tragic weight than 'revés'.

La pérdida de su hogar fue una verdadera desgracia, más que un simple revés.

If you are using 'revés' to mean the back or reverse side of an object, 'dorso' or 'reverso' are direct synonyms. 'Dorso' is often used for the back of a hand or a document, while 'reverso' is common for coins (anverso y reverso).
Dorso and Reverso
These are highly specific nouns for the back side of two-sided objects. 'Firme en el dorso de la página' (Sign on the back of the page).

La moneda tiene un águila en el reverso y no en el revés.

For the phrase 'al revés' (backwards/inside out), alternatives include 'del revés' (mostly used in Spain) or phrases like 'al contrario' (on the contrary) when used in a conversational debate.

No estoy de acuerdo, creo que es exactamente al contrario, o al revés.

By mastering these alternatives—contratiempo for minor hitches, tropiezo for stumbles, desgracia for tragedies, dorso/reverso for physical backs, and al contrario for debates—you can choose the exact word that fits your intended meaning, demonstrating a sophisticated command of the Spanish language.
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مثال‌ها بر اساس سطح

1

La camisa está al revés.

The shirt is inside out.

Use 'estar' with 'al revés' to describe the state of an object.

2

El libro está al revés.

The book is upside down.

'Al revés' can mean upside down as well as inside out.

3

¡No, es al revés!

No, it's the other way around!

A common phrase to correct a simple mistake in order or direction.

4

Me puse el zapato al revés.

I put the shoe on the wrong foot.

Used with reflexive verbs like 'ponerse' for clothing.

5

El cuadro está al revés.

The painting is upside down.

Describes physical orientation.

6

¿Está al revés?

Is it upside down/backwards?

A simple yes/no question using 'estar'.

7

Todo está al revés.

Everything is backwards/upside down.

'Todo' (everything) is the subject here.

8

Gira la foto, está al revés.

Turn the photo, it's upside down.

Imperative command followed by the state.

1

El jugador tiene un buen revés.

The player has a good backhand.

Here 'revés' is a noun meaning a sports stroke.

2

Pensé que era lunes, pero es al revés.

I thought it was Monday, but it's the other way around (meaning a different day/situation).

Used to express 'on the contrary' in simple conversation.

3

Escribe tu nombre en el revés de la hoja.

Write your name on the back of the page.

Use 'en el revés de' for the back side of paper.

4

No me gusta su golpe de revés.

I don't like his backhand stroke.

'Golpe de revés' specifically means backhand hit.

5

Hiciste el ejercicio al revés.

You did the exercise backwards.

Modifying the action verb 'hacer'.

6

Lee los números al revés, de diez a uno.

Read the numbers backwards, from ten to one.

Explains a reverse sequence.

7

Tuvimos un pequeño revés hoy.

We had a small setback today.

Introduction to the figurative noun meaning 'setback'.

8

El jersey está del revés.

The sweater is inside out.

'Del revés' is a common alternative to 'al revés' in Spain.

1

El proyecto sufrió un revés por falta de dinero.

The project suffered a setback due to lack of money.

The classic B1 collocation: 'sufrir un revés'.

2

Fue un revés inesperado para la empresa.

It was an unexpected setback for the company.

Adjective 'inesperado' matches the masculine noun 'revés'.

3

No te rindas ante el primer revés.

Don't give up at the first setback.

Using 'ante' (before/in the face of) with 'revés'.

4

Ganó el partido con un revés a dos manos.

He won the match with a two-handed backhand.

Specific sports terminology: 'revés a dos manos'.

5

Entendiste todo al revés, yo no dije eso.

You understood everything backwards, I didn't say that.

Figurative use of 'al revés' meaning a misunderstanding.

6

La vida tiene muchos reveses, hay que ser fuerte.

Life has many setbacks, one must be strong.

Notice the plural 'reveses' drops the written accent.

7

El mal tiempo supuso un revés para nuestras vacaciones.

The bad weather meant a setback for our vacation.

The verb 'suponer' (to mean/entail) is great for B1 level.

8

Empezó a contar la historia al revés.

He started telling the story backwards.

Describes the manner in which an action is performed.

1

La economía del país ha experimentado un duro revés este trimestre.

The country's economy has experienced a severe setback this quarter.

Advanced collocation: 'experimentar un duro revés'.

2

A pesar de los reveses, lograron terminar la obra a tiempo.

Despite the setbacks, they managed to finish the work on time.

Using 'a pesar de' (despite) with the plural form.

3

Ese fue el revés de la medalla en su exitosa carrera.

That was the other side of the coin in his successful career.

Idiomatic expression: 'el revés de la medalla'.

4

El candidato político intentó minimizar el revés electoral.

The political candidate tried to downplay the electoral setback.

Using 'revés' as a direct object with formal adjectives.

5

Me tienes la cabeza al revés con tantas explicaciones contradictorias.

You have my head spinning with so many contradictory explanations.

Colloquial B2 phrase 'tener la cabeza al revés' (to be confused).

6

Le dio un revés en la cara que lo dejó atónito.

He gave him a backhand slap to the face that left him stunned.

Physical meaning of a backhand strike, common in literature.

7

El tribunal le propinó un revés legal a la corporación.

The court dealt a legal setback to the corporation.

Advanced verb 'propinar' (to deal/deliver) paired with 'revés'.

8

Hacer las cosas al revés solo genera más problemas a largo plazo.

Doing things backwards only generates more problems in the long run.

Infinitive phrase acting as the subject.

1

El rechazo del tratado constituyó un revés diplomático sin precedentes.

The rejection of the treaty constituted an unprecedented diplomatic setback.

Formal C1 vocabulary: 'constituir un revés sin precedentes'.

2

Supo encajar el revés con una dignidad admirable.

She knew how to take the setback with admirable dignity.

The verb 'encajar' (to absorb/take) is highly idiomatic here.

3

Los continuos reveses mermaron la moral de las tropas.

The continuous setbacks depleted the troops' morale.

Advanced vocabulary 'mermar' (to deplete) with plural 'reveses'.

4

Es un mund

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