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A2 verb #4,000 le plus courant 8 min de lecture

vacilar

Top 4,000

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces vacilar en 30 secondes

Explication vacilar in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should focus on the most basic meaning of 'vacilar', which is to hesitate. Although it's not the most common word for a beginner (who might use 'no saber qué hacer' instead), it's useful for describing simple indecision. Think of it as a way to say someone is pausing because they aren't sure. At this stage, you don't need to worry about the slang or the complex prepositions. Just recognize that 'vacilar' means 'to not be sure for a moment.' For example, if you are at a restaurant and can't decide between pizza or pasta, you are 'vacilando.' It is a regular verb, so it's easy to conjugate in the present tense: yo vacilo, tú vacilas, él vacila. Keep it simple and use it to describe physical or mental pauses.

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At the A2 level, you begin to use 'vacilar' in more complete sentences, particularly using the preposition 'en' before an infinitive. This is where you start to describe actions you are hesitant to perform. You might say 'Vacilo en comprar este libro' (I hesitate to buy this book). You should also be aware that 'vacilar' can mean a light flickering or a person being slightly unsteady. This level is also a great time to introduce the concept that 'vacilar' can be used informally to mean 'to joke.' If you hear a friend say '¿Me vacilas?', they are asking if you are joking with them. You should start to differentiate between the formal 'hesitate' and the informal 'joke' based on the person you are talking to.

By the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'vacilar' in various tenses, including the past (pretérito and imperfecto). You should understand that 'vacilar' often appears in stories to describe a character's internal state. 'No vaciló ni un segundo' (He didn't hesitate for a second) is a common phrase in narratives. You should also start using the 'teasing' meaning more naturally in conversation with peers. This is the level where you learn that 'vacilar' can also mean to boast or show off in some regions. You are moving beyond simple definitions and starting to see the word as a tool for social interaction. You should also be able to compare 'vacilar' with 'dudar' and know that 'vacilar' is more about the action (or lack thereof), while 'dudar' is about the thought.

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At the B2 level, you are expected to understand the regional nuances of 'vacilar'. You should know that in the Caribbean, it means to have fun or party, while in Spain, it's more about teasing or showing off. You should be able to use the word in more abstract contexts, such as 'La economía vacila ante la incertidumbre' (The economy wavers in the face of uncertainty). Your use of prepositions should be flawless—'vacilar en' vs 'vacilar ante'. You should also be able to recognize 'vacilar' in literature where it might describe the flickering of a candle or the wavering of a shadow, adding poetic depth to your descriptions. This is also the stage where you should understand the noun form 'vacilación' and use it correctly in formal writing.

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At the C1 level, you possess a nuanced understanding of 'vacilar' and can use it to express subtle shades of meaning. You can use it to describe a lack of firmness in a person's character or a lack of stability in a philosophical argument. You are aware of the subtle difference between 'vacilar' and 'titubear' (the latter being more about the physical act of stuttering or stumbling). You can use 'vacilar' in professional settings to describe market fluctuations or in social settings to engage in complex wordplay or 'vacile' (teasing). Your vocabulary is large enough that you choose 'vacilar' specifically for its connotations of wavering or lack of equilibrium, rather than just as a generic word for 'hesitating'.

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At the C2 level, you have complete mastery over 'vacilar'. You can identify its use in various Spanish dialects instantly and can adapt your own use of the word to match the local register. You understand the etymological roots of the word (from the Latin 'vacillare', to sway) and how that history informs its modern meanings. You can use it in high-level academic or literary analysis to describe the 'vacilación' of a text or the wavering of an ideological movement. You can also use the most colloquial forms of 'vacilar' with perfect timing and cultural accuracy, knowing exactly when a 'vacile' is appropriate and when it might be seen as offensive. You are capable of using the word to create irony, humor, or profound descriptive imagery.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

vacilar en 30 secondes

A versatile verb meaning to hesitate or waver in formal contexts.
Commonly used as slang in Spain to mean 'to tease' or 'to mock'.
Used in the Caribbean to describe partying or having a great time.
Describes physical instability, like a flickering candle flame or a shaky step.

The Spanish verb vacilar is a multifaceted gem in the Spanish language, possessing a range of meanings that shift significantly depending on the geographical context and the social setting. At its core, and most formally, it translates to 'to hesitate' or 'to waver.' This primary definition describes a state of indecision where a person is caught between two choices or is unsure of how to proceed. However, if you were to stop your study there, you would be missing out on the vibrant, colloquial life of the word. In many Spanish-speaking countries, particularly in Spain and parts of Latin America, vacilar takes on a much more playful, and sometimes slightly mischievous, tone.

The Primary Meaning: Hesitation: In formal writing or serious conversation, vacilar refers to the mental or physical act of wavering. It is used when someone pauses before making a decision or when a physical object lacks stability. For example, a flame might 'vacilar' in the wind, or a witness might 'vacilar' before answering a difficult question in court.

No debes vacilar cuando se trata de tu futuro profesional; toma la decisión con valentía.

The Social Meaning: Teasing and Joking: In Spain, 'vacilar' is the go-to word for 'pulling someone's leg' or teasing them. If a friend tells you an unbelievable story just to see your reaction, they are vacilándote. It implies a level of mockery that is usually lighthearted but can occasionally be perceived as arrogant if the person is 'showing off' or trying to make someone else look foolish.

¿Es verdad que ganaste la lotería o me estás vacilando?

The Caribbean/Latin American Flare: Partying: In countries like Cuba, Puerto Rico, or Colombia, vacilar can mean to have a great time, to party, or to enjoy something immensely. It's about the 'vacilón'—the party or the fun vibe. In this sense, it's entirely positive and celebratory.

In summary, while the dictionary might tell you it means to hesitate, the street will tell you it means to joke, to boast, or to enjoy. It is a word that requires you to read the room. If a boss says it, they likely mean indecision. If a friend says it while smirking, they are definitely pulling your leg.

Using vacilar correctly involves understanding its grammatical constructions, which change based on the intended meaning. When expressing hesitation, the verb is often followed by the preposition en or ante. When expressing the act of teasing, it becomes a transitive verb or is used with a direct object.

Construction with Prepositions: To say 'to hesitate to do something,' use vacilar en + [infinitive]. To say 'to hesitate before something,' use vacilar ante + [noun].

Ella no vaciló en ayudar a los necesitados tras el desastre.

When you use it for teasing, the structure is simpler but requires an object. In Spain, you might hear 'No me vaciles,' which translates to 'Don't mess with me' or 'Don't tease me.' In this context, the person being teased is the object of the verb. It's important to note that this usage is informal and should be avoided in professional settings unless you have a very close relationship with your colleagues.

Physical Instability: You can also use vacilar to describe something that is physically unsteady, such as a flickering light or a person who is stumbling. This is a more literal, physical application of 'wavering.'

La luz de la vela empezó a vacilar debido a la corriente de aire.

In more complex sentences, vacilar can be used to describe an internal conflict. For instance, 'Su voz vaciló' (His/her voice faltered) indicates a loss of confidence or emotional distress. This versatility makes it a powerful verb for adding descriptive depth to both spoken and written Spanish.

The context in which you encounter vacilar will drastically change your interpretation of it. If you are reading a classic novel or a serious newspaper like El País, you will almost certainly see it used to mean 'to hesitate.' It is the standard word for expressing a lack of certainty in formal Spanish.

In the Streets of Madrid: Walk into a tapas bar in Madrid, and you might hear a teenager say to another, '¡No me vaciles, tío!' In this setting, it has nothing to do with hesitation. It's slang for 'Don't try to play me' or 'Don't show off.' It's part of the 'chulería' (cockiness) culture where people playfully challenge each other's status or stories.

Ese chico siempre está vacilando de su coche nuevo.

In Caribbean Music: Listen to Salsa, Reggaeton, or Merengue, and 'vacilar' will appear as a synonym for enjoying life and dancing. In a song, a singer might invite the audience to 'vacilar la fiesta.' Here, it's about the rhythm, the joy, and the 'gozadera' (enjoyment).

You will also hear it in political discourse. A commentator might say, 'El gobierno no puede vacilar ante esta crisis,' meaning the government cannot afford to be indecisive. Because of these varied uses, 'vacilar' is a high-frequency word that bridges the gap between the academic world and the vibrant life of the Spanish-speaking streets. It is one of those words that marks the transition from a beginner who knows 'definitions' to an intermediate learner who knows 'usage.'

The most frequent mistake English speakers make with vacilar is assuming it only has one meaning. Because it looks like the English word 'vacillate,' learners often use it exclusively in formal contexts to mean 'to waver.' While this is correct, it is only half the story.

Mistake 1: Misinterpreting Slang: If a Spanish friend says 'Te estoy vacilando,' and you respond with confusion because you think they are 'hesitating you,' the conversation will stall. Remember: in social contexts, it almost always means 'I'm joking with you.'

Incorrect: Me vacilo ir al cine. (I hesitate to go to the movies.)
Correct: Vacilo en ir al cine.

Mistake 2: Forgetting the Preposition 'en': When using 'vacilar' to mean hesitation before an action, you must use the preposition 'en' before the infinitive. Skipping 'en' makes the sentence sound unnatural to native speakers.

Another subtle mistake is using vacilar when you actually mean dudar (to doubt). While they are related, dudar is about a lack of belief or a question of truth, whereas vacilar is about a lack of action or stability. If you aren't sure if a statement is true, use 'dudar.' If you aren't sure whether to step forward or backward, use 'vacilar.'

To truly master the nuances of vacilar, it's helpful to compare it with its synonyms and understand when to choose one over the other. Spanish is a language rich in verbs for thought and action, and choosing the right one can make you sound much more like a native speaker.

Vacilar vs. Titubear: Titubear is almost always used for speech or physical movement. If someone is stuttering because they are nervous, they are 'titubeando.' Vacilar is broader and can refer to a general state of indecision or the colloquial meanings discussed earlier.

Vacilar vs. Dudar: Dudar is 'to doubt.' It is more cognitive. You 'dudas' about a fact. You 'vacilas' when you are standing at a crossroads and don't know which path to take. 'Dudar' often triggers the subjunctive mood, while 'vacilar' usually does not.

No titubeó al dar su discurso, pero vaciló después al elegir qué preguntas responder.

Vacilar vs. Bromear: In the sense of joking, bromear is the neutral, safe word. Vacilar is more informal and carries a connotation of 'messing with' someone. Use 'bromear' with your boss; use 'vacilar' with your best friend.

By understanding these alternatives, you can tailor your Spanish to be as precise or as casual as the situation demands. Vacilar remains the most versatile of the bunch, capable of moving from a philosophical debate to a late-night party with ease.

How Formal Is It?

Formel

"El presidente no vaciló en firmar el decreto."

Neutre

"Vacilo un poco sobre qué carrera estudiar."

Informel

"¡Qué bien lo pasamos vacilando en la playa!"

Child friendly

"La vela vacila con el viento, ¡parece que baila!"

Argot

"No me vaciles, que te conozco."

Le savais-tu ?

The English word 'vacillate' comes from the same Latin root. While the English version is almost always formal, the Spanish 'vacilar' evolved to include the 'teasing' meaning because 'swaying' someone's mind was seen as a form of play or trickery.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ba.θi.ˈlaɾ/

US /ba.si.ˈlaɾ/

The stress falls on the final syllable: va-ci-LAR.

Rime avec

hablar cantar llegar estrellar mar lugar bienestar pesar

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the 'v' like an English 'v' (it should be a soft 'b').
Putting the stress on the first or second syllable.
In Spain, forgetting the 'th' sound for the 'c'.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

Easy to recognize due to the English cognate 'vacillate'.

Écriture 4/5

Requires knowledge of prepositions like 'en' and 'ante'.

Expression orale 5/5

Hard to master the slang usage and the correct tone for teasing.

Écoute 5/5

Difficult to distinguish between 'hesitating' and 'teasing' in fast speech.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

dudar hablar broma luz decidir

Apprends ensuite

titubear oscilar bromear tomar el pelo engañar

Avancé

perplejidad irresolución ambivalencia mofa sarcasmo

Grammaire à connaître

Verbs of indecision often take 'en' before an infinitive.

Vacilo en ir.

Direct object pronouns are used for the 'teasing' meaning.

Me vacilas.

The preterite tense indicates a specific moment of hesitation.

Vacilé un segundo.

The imperfect tense describes a continuous state of wavering.

La luz vacilaba.

Imperatives of 'vacilar' are common in advice.

¡No vaciles!

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Exemples par niveau

Yo vacilo un momento antes de entrar.

I hesitate a moment before entering.

Present tense, 1st person singular.

¿Por qué vacilas tú?

Why do you hesitate?

Present tense question.

Él vacila con la respuesta.

He hesitates with the answer.

Subject-verb agreement.

Nosotros no vacilamos.

We do not hesitate.

Negative sentence.

Ellos vacilan al caminar.

They waver as they walk.

Third person plural.

La luz vacila un poco.

The light flickers a bit.

Describing an object.

Ella vacila mucho.

She hesitates a lot.

Adverb usage.

No vaciles ahora.

Don't hesitate now.

Imperative (informal).

No vacilé en llamarte.

I didn't hesitate to call you.

Preterite tense + 'en'.

¿Me estás vacilando?

Are you teasing me?

Present progressive, colloquial.

Ella vaciló ante el obstáculo.

She hesitated before the obstacle.

Preterite + 'ante'.

El niño vacila al hablar.

The boy hesitates when speaking.

Describing a physical action.

No vaciles en preguntar.

Don't hesitate to ask.

Imperative + 'en' + infinitive.

La llama vacilaba en la oscuridad.

The flame was wavering in the dark.

Imperfect tense for description.

Juan vacila sobre qué comer.

Juan hesitates about what to eat.

Preposition 'sobre' (about).

Mis amigos me vacilan siempre.

My friends always tease me.

Direct object pronoun 'me'.

Si vacilas mucho, perderás la oportunidad.

If you hesitate a lot, you will lose the opportunity.

First conditional structure.

Me gusta vacilar con mis primos.

I like to joke around with my cousins.

Infinitive after 'gustar'.

El testigo vaciló durante el juicio.

The witness faltered during the trial.

Specific context: legal.

No vaciles en decir la verdad.

Do not hesitate to tell the truth.

Formal advice.

La empresa vacila ante la nueva ley.

The company is wavering before the new law.

Abstract subject.

Siempre me vacila con mi peinado.

He always teases me about my hairstyle.

Usage of 'con' to indicate the topic of teasing.

Vacilé un segundo antes de saltar.

I hesitated a second before jumping.

Time expression 'un segundo'.

No hay tiempo para vacilar.

There is no time to hesitate.

Common idiomatic expression.

Su voz vaciló por la emoción.

His/her voice faltered because of the emotion.

Causality with 'por'.

El gobierno vacila en su política exterior.

The government wavers in its foreign policy.

Political context.

Deja de vacilar y toma una decisión.

Stop wavering and make a decision.

'Dejar de' + infinitive.

Me vacilaron en la tienda con el precio.

They messed with me in the store regarding the price.

Colloquial use: to trick or mislead.

La estructura vacila ante el viento fuerte.

The structure sways/wavers before the strong wind.

Physical description.

No vacilaría en volver a hacerlo.

I wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

Conditional tense.

Aquel joven vacila de sus conquistas.

That young man boasts about his conquests.

'Vacilar de' meaning to boast.

El pulso le vaciló al cirujano.

The surgeon's pulse faltered.

Indirect object 'le'.

La bolsa vacila ante los rumores de guerra.

The stock market wavers before the rumors of war.

Financial terminology.

No podemos permitir que nuestro pulso vacile.

We cannot allow our pulse (resolve) to falter.

Subjunctive after 'permitir que'.

Su fe empezó a vacilar tras la tragedia.

His/her faith began to waver after the tragedy.

Abstract noun 'fe'.

El discurso vacila entre la ironía y la seriedad.

The speech wavers between irony and seriousness.

Describing literary style.

Me estás vacilando y no me hace gracia.

You are teasing me and I don't find it funny.

Expressing social boundaries.

La sombra vacilaba sobre la pared blanca.

The shadow was wavering on the white wall.

Literary description.

Vaciló en sus convicciones más profundas.

He/she wavered in his/her deepest convictions.

Refining internal state.

El motor vaciló antes de apagarse.

The engine sputtered/wavered before turning off.

Technical context.

La hegemonía del imperio empezó a vacilar.

The empire's hegemony began to waver.

Historical/Academic context.

Su prosa vacila en la frontera de lo onírico.

His/her prose wavers on the border of the dreamlike.

Literary criticism.

No vaciló en inmolarse por su causa.

He/she did not hesitate to sacrifice him/herself for his/her cause.

High-level vocabulary 'inmolarse'.

El equilibrio de poder vacila peligrosamente.

The balance of power is wavering dangerously.

Geopolitical context.

Vacilar ante lo inevitable es humano.

To hesitate before the inevitable is human.

Philosophical statement.

La resolución del conflicto vacila por falta de consenso.

The resolution of the conflict wavers due to lack of consensus.

Complex sentence structure.

¡Qué vacilón te traes con ese asunto!

What a joke/fun you're having with that matter!

Noun form 'vacilón' in exclamation.

El brillo de la estrella vacila en el firmamento.

The star's brightness flickers in the firmament.

Poetic usage.

Collocations courantes

vacilar en responder

sin vacilar

vacilar ante la duda

luz que vacila

vacilar un poco

me estás vacilando

vacilar de dinero

pulso que vacila

vacilar en el camino

vacilar la vida

Phrases Courantes

No vaciles.

— Do not hesitate. Use it as encouragement or a command.

No vaciles, ¡salta ya!

¿Me vacilas?

— Are you kidding me? Used when someone says something unbelievable.

¿Ganaste un millón? ¿Me vacilas?

Sin vacilaciones.

— Without any hesitation. Used in formal writing or firm speech.

Actuó sin vacilaciones.

Vacilar un rato.

— To hang out or have fun for a while.

Fuimos al parque a vacilar un rato.

Ni un vacile.

— Not a single joke or bit of teasing. Used to demand seriousness.

Quiero la verdad, ni un vacile.

Vacilar de listo.

— To act like a smart-alec or show off intelligence.

No vengas aquí a vacilar de listo.

Un vacilón.

— A joker or a fun party/event.

Tu hermano es un vacilón.

Vacilar el cuerpo.

— To move or dance (Caribbean).

Empezó a vacilar el cuerpo con la música.

No vacilar ante nada.

— To be unstoppable or totally determined.

Ella no vacila ante nada para lograr sus metas.

Vacilar en la fe.

— To have a crisis of faith or belief.

A veces es normal vacilar en la fe.

Souvent confondu avec

vacilar vs vacunar

Means 'to vaccinate'. Don't confuse 'I hesitate' (vacilo) with 'I vaccinate' (vacuno).

vacilar vs vaciar

Means 'to empty'. Don't say 'I empty' (vacio) when you mean 'I hesitate' (vacilo).

vacilar vs bacilar

In biology, it refers to bacteria (bacilli), but it sounds exactly the same.

Expressions idiomatiques

"vacilarle a uno"

— To play a trick on someone or tease them.

Le vacilaron con una noticia falsa.

informal

"estar de vacilón"

— To be in a partying or joking mood.

Hoy no quiero trabajar, estoy de vacilón.

slang

"vacilar de lo que no se tiene"

— To boast about things one doesn't actually possess.

Él siempre vacila de lo que no tiene.

proverbial

"sin vacilar un ápice"

— To not hesitate even the slightest bit.

Firmó el contrato sin vacilar un ápice.

formal

"un vacile de mal gusto"

— A joke in poor taste.

Lo que dijiste fue un vacile de mal gusto.

neutral

"vacilar la vista"

— To have blurry or unsteady vision (sometimes from exhaustion).

Me vacila la vista de tanto leer.

colloquial

"el vacile del siglo"

— The prank/joke of the century.

Esa broma fue el vacile del siglo.

slang

"vacilar en la cuerda floja"

— To be in a precarious or undecided situation (tightrope).

El proyecto está vacilando en la cuerda floja.

metaphorical

"no me vengas con vaciles"

— Don't come to me with jokes/excuses.

Dime la verdad y no me vengas con vaciles.

informal

"vacilar por vacilar"

— To tease or hesitate for no reason at all.

No te creo, estás vacilando por vacilar.

colloquial

Facile à confondre

vacilar vs dudar

Both involve uncertainty.

Dudar is about belief (I doubt it's true). Vacilar is about action (I hesitate to go).

Dudo que venga, pero no vacilo en esperarlo.

vacilar vs titubear

Both mean to hesitate.

Titubear is more physical or vocal (stuttering). Vacilar is more mental or general.

Titubeó al hablar, pero no vaciló en su decisión.

vacilar vs oscilar

Both involve wavering.

Oscilar is more technical/physical (swinging like a pendulum).

Los precios oscilan, lo que me hace vacilar.

vacilar vs bromear

Both involve joking.

Bromear is safe and neutral. Vacilar is informal and can be edgy.

Estamos bromeando, no te estoy vacilando.

vacilar vs fardar

Both can mean to show off.

Fardar is specifically about showing off possessions. Vacilar is broader teasing.

Deja de fardar de reloj y no me vaciles.

Structures de phrases

[Subject] + vacila.

Juan vacila.

[Subject] + no vacila en + [Infinitive].

No vacilo en comer.

¿Me estás vacilando?

¿Me estás vacilando ahora?

[Subject] + vaciló ante + [Noun].

Ella vaciló ante el perro.

[Subject] + vacila de + [Noun].

Él vacila de su dinero.

Sin vacilar un instante, [Action].

Sin vacilar un instante, aceptó.

[Subject] vacila entre [Option A] y [Option B].

Vacila entre el amor y el odio.

[Abstract Noun] hace vacilar a [Subject].

La crisis hace vacilar al rey.

Famille de mots

Noms

Verbes

Adjectifs

Apparenté

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

High in both speech and literature.

Erreurs courantes

Using 'vacilar' without 'en' for actions. → Vacilo en ir.
Without 'en', the sentence feels incomplete when followed by an infinitive.
Confusing it with 'vacunar'. → No vacilé en hacerlo.
'Vacuné' means you gave someone a vaccine. 'Vacilé' means you hesitated.
Using slang 'vacilar' in a job interview. → No dudaré en trabajar duro.
Calling your interviewer a 'vacilón' or saying they are 'vacilando' would be very unprofessional.
Pronouncing the 'v' as a hard English 'v'. → Soft 'b' sound.
Spanish 'v' and 'b' are pronounced the same. A hard 'v' sounds foreign.
Thinking it only means 'to hesitate'. → Understand the 'teasing' meaning.
You will miss a lot of social cues if you don't know the colloquial side of the word.

Astuces

The Pendulum

Imagine a pendulum swinging. It's 'vacilando' between two sides. That's what your mind does when you hesitate.

Check the Smirk

If a Spaniard says 'vacilar' while smirking, they are definitely teasing you. Context is everything!

The 'En' Rule

Always put 'en' before the action you are hesitating to do. 'Vacilo en llamar'.

Caribbean Vibes

If you are in Cuba and someone says '¡Qué vacilón!', they are talking about a party, not a doubt!

Soft B

Remember, the 'v' in 'vacilar' is not like the English 'v'. Keep your lips slightly apart and make a soft 'b' sound.

Poetic Shadows

Use 'vacilar' to describe shadows in your stories. It adds a sense of movement and uncertainty.

No me vaciles

Learn this phrase! It's the perfect way to tell a friend to stop pulling your leg.

Preposition Hunt

When listening, if you hear 'ante', they are likely talking about a challenge or obstacle.

Synonym Swap

Try replacing 'dudar' with 'vacilar' when you want to emphasize the pause in action rather than the thought.

Boasting

In some contexts, 'vacilar de' means to show off. Use it when someone is being a bit too proud of their new phone.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'VACUUM' (Vac-). When a vacuum cleaner is broken, it 'vacillates' or shakes back and forth, and you 'hesitate' to use it because it might explode!

Association visuelle

Imagine someone standing on a 'V' shaped road. They are standing at the point, looking left and right, unable to decide. They are 'vacilando'.

Word Web

hesitate tease waver flicker joke party stumble doubt

Défi

Try to use 'vacilar' in two different sentences today: one meaning 'to hesitate' and one meaning 'to joke'. See if your listener understands the difference based on your tone!

Origine du mot

From the Latin verb 'vacillare', which means to sway to and fro, to stagger, or to be unsteady.

Sens originel : Swaying or staggering physically.

Indo-European -> Italic -> Latin -> Romance -> Spanish.

Contexte culturel

Be careful: 'vacilar' in the sense of 'mocking' can be offensive if the person doesn't know you are joking. Use it only with people you trust.

English speakers often use 'vacillate' only in formal writing, whereas 'vacilar' is used daily in Spanish streets.

'El Vacilón de la Mañana' (a famous Spanish-language radio show in New York). Various Salsa songs use 'vacilar' to invite people to dance.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

At a crossroads

¿Por dónde ir?
No vaciles.
Estoy vacilando.
Toma una decisión.

At a party

¡A vacilar!
Qué buen vacilón.
No me vaciles.
Vamos a disfrutar.

In a debate

Su argumento vacila.
No vaciló en su respuesta.
Sin vacilaciones.
Dudar vs Vacilar.

Physical world

La luz vacila.
El pulso vacila.
La llama vacila.
Pasos vacilantes.

Social teasing

¿Me estás vacilando?
Es un vacile.
No le vaciles.
Vacilar de guapo.

Amorces de conversation

"¿Alguna vez has vacilado antes de tomar una decisión importante?"

"¿Te gusta vacilar a tus amigos o prefieres ser serio?"

"¿Qué cosas te hacen vacilar en la vida?"

"¿En tu país, 'vacilar' significa divertirse o bromear?"

"¿Crees que un líder puede permitirse vacilar?"

Sujets d'écriture

Escribe sobre un momento en el que no vacilaste y tuviste éxito.

Describe una situación en la que alguien te vaciló y cómo te sentiste.

¿Por qué crees que la gente vacila cuando tiene que decir la verdad?

Compara el significado de 'vacilar' en España y en el Caribe.

Relata una historia corta que incluya una luz que vacila.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No. While it can mean hesitation (neutral) or mocking (potentially negative), in the Caribbean it means having fun (positive) and in Spain it can be friendly teasing (positive).

Yes, it is a completely regular -ar verb in all tenses, making it very easy for students to conjugate.

'Titubear' is specifically about the physical act of stumbling or stuttering. 'Vacilar' is more about the mental state of indecision.

Only if you mean 'to hesitate' (e.g., 'No vacilaré en terminar el informe'). Do NOT use it to mean 'to joke' unless you have a very close relationship.

You say 'No me vaciles'. It's a very common phrase among friends in Spain.

It can be a person who is a joker, or it can mean a great party or a funny situation.

Yes, in Mexico it is commonly used to mean 'to joke' (bromear) or 'to mess around'.

Actually, they both come from the same Latin 'vacillare'. Spanish just uses one 'l' and follows its own spelling rules for the 'c' sound.

Yes, you can use it for flickering lights, swaying buildings, or unsteady tables.

Very common. Authors use it to describe the inner turmoil of characters or the atmospheric flickering of light.

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