When someone desmaya, it means they faint or pass out. This usually happens when they suddenly feel weak and lose consciousness for a short period. For example, if someone is very hot or hasn't eaten, they might desmayarse. It's like when you feel dizzy and then everything goes black for a moment.
When someone se desmaya (faints), they lose consciousness briefly. This verb can also mean to become disheartened or discouraged. For instance, if you're trying to learn a difficult skill and feel like giving up, you could say no te desmayes (don't lose heart).
It's important to remember the reflexive form desmayarse when referring to someone fainting. For example, Ella se desmayó en la calle (She fainted in the street). Using the non-reflexive form desmayar typically implies discouraging someone or something, as in La noticia desmayó sus esperanzas (The news dashed their hopes).
When someone se desmaya (faints), they lose consciousness temporarily, often due to a lack of blood flow to the brain or a sudden drop in blood pressure. This can be caused by various factors, such as extreme heat, dehydration, or emotional shock. If you feel dizzy or lightheaded, it's important to sit or lie down to prevent fainting. Seeing someone faint can be alarming, but most often, they recover quickly.
§ What does 'desmayar' mean?
The Spanish verb desmayar (CEFR B1) means "to faint" or "to lose consciousness for a short time." It's a common and practical word to know, especially when discussing health, emergencies, or even just dramatic situations in Spanish. Think of it as the direct equivalent of saying "to faint" in English. It describes a temporary loss of awareness, usually caused by a sudden drop in blood pressure, shock, or other physical factors.
- DEFINITION
- To lose consciousness for a short time; to faint.
You'll often hear or use desmayar when someone briefly passes out. It's not about being asleep or in a coma; it's specifically about a sudden, short-lived loss of consciousness. It can happen for various reasons, from seeing blood to standing up too quickly.
Ella se sintió mareada y se desmayó en el autobús. (She felt dizzy and fainted on the bus.)
Cuando vio la aguja, casi se desmaya. (When he saw the needle, he almost fainted.)
§ When do people use 'desmayar'?
People use desmayar in a variety of contexts, primarily when describing a situation where someone loses consciousness temporarily. It's a verb you'll encounter in:
- Medical situations: If someone feels unwell and passes out, this is the go-to verb.
- Emotional or shocking moments: Sometimes, a person might faint due to extreme fear, surprise, or sadness.
- Figurative language (less common, but good to know): While primarily literal, in some older or more poetic contexts, 'desmayar' can also imply losing spirit or hope, though this is much less common in everyday conversation for B1 learners. Stick to the literal meaning for now.
It's important to differentiate desmayar from other verbs that might seem similar but have different meanings:
- Dormirse: To fall asleep. This is a natural, intentional process, not a sudden loss of consciousness.
- Perder el conocimiento: To lose consciousness. This is a more general phrase and can refer to a longer or more serious state than desmayar, though it can also be used interchangeably in some contexts. Desmayar specifically implies the temporary, often less severe, event of fainting.
Understanding when and how to use desmayar will make your Spanish sound more natural and precise. It's a key word for describing physical reactions and emergencies. Pay attention to the context in which you hear it, and you'll quickly get a feel for its appropriate usage.
El calor era tan intenso que varias personas empezaron a desmayarse. (The heat was so intense that several people started to faint.)
Después de la noticia, ella casi se desmaya de la impresión. (After the news, she almost fainted from shock.)
Keep practicing with these examples, and you'll master desmayar in no time. It's a useful verb that will certainly come up in real-life conversations.
§ Understanding 'Desmayar'
The Spanish verb 'desmayar' means to faint or to lose consciousness. It's a common verb that you'll hear in everyday conversations, especially when talking about health or unexpected events. Let's break down how to use it correctly.
- Verb Type
- Regular -ar verb
- Transitive/Intransitive
- Intransitive (it doesn't take a direct object)
§ Basic Sentence Structure
Typically, you'll use 'desmayar' with the reflexive pronoun 'se' to indicate that a person fainted. This makes it 'desmayarse'. The structure is quite straightforward: Subject + Reflexive Pronoun + Conjugated Verb.
- Yo me desmayo (I faint)
- Tú te desmayas (You faint)
- Él/Ella/Usted se desmaya (He/She/You formal faints)
- Nosotros/as nos desmayamos (We faint)
- Vosotros/as os desmayáis (You all faint - informal, Spain)
- Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes se desmayan (They/You all faint - formal)
Ella se desmayó por el calor. (She fainted from the heat.)
Si no comes, podrías desmayarte. (If you don't eat, you could faint.)
§ Common Prepositions and Phrases
While 'desmayarse' itself doesn't typically require a preposition directly after it, you'll often see it used with phrases that explain why someone fainted or where it happened. Here are some common prepositions you might encounter:
- Por: To indicate the cause or reason.
- De: Can also indicate the cause, similar to 'por'.
- En: To specify the location where the fainting occurred.
El paciente se desmayó por falta de aire. (The patient fainted due to lack of air.)
Ella casi se desmayó de la emoción. (She almost fainted from excitement.)
El niño se desmayó en el parque. (The boy fainted in the park.)
§ Related Expressions
Sometimes, instead of saying someone fainted, you might hear other expressions that convey a similar meaning, like 'perder el conocimiento' (to lose consciousness).
Cuando me desmayo, siempre pierdo el conocimiento. (When I faint, I always lose consciousness.)
§ Understanding 'Desmayar'
Alright, let's talk about the Spanish verb 'desmayar'. You'll hear this one pretty often in different situations. It means to lose consciousness for a short time, or to faint. It's a useful verb to know because, well, people faint sometimes, and you might need to understand or describe it.
- DEFINITION
- To lose consciousness for a short time; to faint.
§ At Work
Imagine you're at work, maybe in an office or a busy shop. Someone might not be feeling well, and this word could come up. It's important to know how to talk about it clearly and directly.
Mi colega empezó a desmayarse por el calor.
Translation hint: My colleague started to faint because of the heat.
Si te sientes mal, avisa antes de desmayarte.
Translation hint: If you feel unwell, let someone know before you faint.
§ In School
School environments can also be places where you might hear this word. Maybe someone is nervous about an exam, or they haven't eaten properly.
El estudiante se iba a desmayar del nerviosismo.
Translation hint: The student was going to faint from nervousness.
Después de no comer en todo el día, era posible que se desmayara.
Translation hint: After not eating all day, it was possible that he/she would faint.
§ In the News
News reports often describe events where people are affected by various situations, and 'desmayar' can be used to convey a sudden loss of consciousness due to shock, heat, or other causes.
A menudo se informa que las personas se desmayan en eventos masivos debido a la aglomeración.
Translation hint: It is often reported that people faint at large events due to overcrowding.
Testigos vieron a varias personas desmayarse durante el concierto.
Translation hint: Witnesses saw several people faint during the concert.
§ Practical Usage Points
When you're trying to communicate about someone losing consciousness, 'desmayar' is your go-to verb. It's direct and commonly understood across Spanish-speaking regions. Don't overthink it. Just remember it's about a temporary loss of awareness.
Here's what to remember:
- Use it when someone actually faints.
- It's often reflexive, so pay attention to 'se desmayó', 'me desmayo', etc.
- It's not used for things like passing out from too much alcohol, which would usually be 'perder el conocimiento' or other more specific phrases. 'Desmayar' implies a more physical, often sudden, loss of consciousness.
Keep practicing these examples, and you'll find 'desmayar' naturally fitting into your Spanish conversations.
§ Understanding 'Desmayar'
You're learning Spanish, and you've come across the verb 'desmayar'. This word means 'to faint' or 'to lose consciousness for a short time'. It's a common and practical word to know, especially if you ever need to describe someone feeling unwell or experiencing a temporary loss of awareness.
- DEFINITION
- To lose consciousness for a short time; to faint.
Ella se sintió mareada y se desmayó en el calor.
*Hint: She felt dizzy and fainted in the heat.*
No quiero desmayar durante la presentación.
*Hint: I don't want to faint during the presentation.*
§ Similar Words and How They Differ
When you're learning about 'desmayar', it's useful to know some similar words and understand why 'desmayar' is the best choice in certain situations. While some words might seem interchangeable, they often carry slightly different nuances.
- 'Perder el conocimiento' (to lose consciousness): This is a more general term. While 'desmayar' specifically refers to fainting, 'perder el conocimiento' can describe any instance of losing consciousness, whether it's due to a faint, a serious injury, or a medical condition.
Después del accidente, el conductor perdió el conocimiento por varios minutos.
*Hint: After the accident, the driver lost consciousness for several minutes.*
- 'Desvanecerse' (to vanish, to fade away; also to faint): This word can sometimes be used as a synonym for 'desmayar', especially when talking about a gradual onset of faintness. However, 'desvanecerse' also has a broader meaning of something disappearing or fading. When talking specifically about a person fainting, 'desmayar' is generally more direct and common.
El color de la tela se desvaneció con el sol.
*Hint: The color of the fabric faded with the sun.*
Sintió que iba a desvanecerse en la multitud.
*Hint: He felt like he was going to vanish into the crowd.*
- 'Caerse redondo/a' (to drop like a stone, to pass out): This is a more informal and idiomatic expression. It implies a sudden and complete collapse, often due to fainting. It's more vivid than 'desmayar' but might not be appropriate in all contexts, such as formal writing.
Cuando escuchó la noticia, se cayó redonda.
*Hint: When she heard the news, she dropped like a stone (passed out).*
§ When to Use 'Desmayar'
Use 'desmayar' when you want to specifically convey the act of fainting due to a temporary loss of consciousness. It's perfect for describing situations where someone becomes lightheaded, dizzy, and then briefly loses awareness.
- When someone passes out from heat or exhaustion.
- When someone faints due to a sudden shock or emotional distress.
- When describing a character in a story who loses consciousness in a dramatic way.
It's less appropriate for situations where consciousness is lost for an extended period, or due to a severe head injury, where 'perder el conocimiento' would be a more fitting choice.
By understanding these distinctions, you can choose the most precise and natural-sounding Spanish word for any given situation. Keep practicing, and you'll master these nuances in no time!
How Formal Is It?
"El paciente podría desfallecer si no recibe atención médica pronto."
"Se desmayó por el calor en la multitud."
"Después de correr tanto, caí redondo en la meta."
"Cuando le sacaron sangre, hizo un 'ay' y casi se desmaya."
"Trabajó tan duro que se quedó frito en el sofá."
발음 가이드
- Don't confuse 'desmayar' with 'desmayarse'. While 'desmayar' means to cause someone to faint, 'desmayarse' is the more common reflexive form meaning to faint oneself.
알아야 할 문법
Regular -ar verb conjugation: desmayar follows the regular conjugation pattern for -ar verbs.
Yo me desmayo (I faint); Tú te desmayas (You faint); Él/Ella/Usted se desmaya (He/She/You faint); Nosotros/Nosotras nos desmayamos (We faint); Vosotros/Vosotras os desmayáis (You all faint); Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes se desmayan (They/You all faint).
Reflexive pronoun usage: When 'desmayar' means to faint, it is typically used reflexively with 'se'.
Ella se desmayó en la calle. (She fainted in the street.)
Past particple: The past participle 'desmayado' can be used as an adjective or in perfect tenses.
Él estaba desmayado. (He was unconscious/fainted.)
Imperative form: To give a command related to fainting.
¡No te desmayes! (Don't faint!)
Using 'desmayar' transitively: Less common, but 'desmayar' can mean to discourage or dishearten someone (not reflexive).
La noticia me desmayó. (The news disheartened me.)
수준별 예문
Se desmayó cuando vio la sangre.
He fainted when he saw the blood.
Past tense, common use for sudden events.
Casi me desmayo del susto.
I almost fainted from fright.
Reflexive verb, 'casi' (almost) indicates a near event.
La falta de aire la hizo desmayarse.
The lack of air made her faint.
Causative structure, 'hacer' + infinitive.
No te desmayes, por favor.
Don't faint, please.
Negative command in the 'tú' form.
Después de correr tanto, se sintió como si fuera a desmayarse.
After running so much, he felt as if he was going to faint.
Conditional clause, 'como si' + imperfect subjunctive.
Si no comes, podrías desmayarte.
If you don't eat, you could faint.
Conditional sentence, 'si' + present, future/conditional.
La noticia fue tan impactante que pensó que iba a desmayarse.
The news was so shocking that she thought she was going to faint.
Imperfect tense for ongoing thought/feeling.
Es importante sentarse si sientes que te vas a desmayar.
It's important to sit down if you feel like you're going to faint.
Subjunctive after 'sentir que' when expressing a possibility.
Después de correr la maratón, se desmayó en la línea de meta debido al agotamiento.
After running the marathon, he fainted at the finish line due to exhaustion.
La noticia fue tan impactante que por un momento sentí que me iba a desmayar.
The news was so shocking that for a moment I felt like I was going to faint.
Here, 'sentir que me iba a desmayar' means 'to feel like I was going to faint'.
Es común desmayarse si no se come lo suficiente o si se sufre un bajón de azúcar.
It's common to faint if you don't eat enough or if you suffer a sugar drop.
'Bajón de azúcar' refers to a drop in blood sugar.
Los médicos advirtieron que podría desmayarse si se levantaba demasiado rápido.
The doctors warned that he might faint if he stood up too quickly.
Nunca me he desmayado, pero una vez estuve muy cerca de hacerlo por el calor.
I have never fainted, but once I was very close to doing so due to the heat.
'Estar muy cerca de hacerlo' means 'to be very close to doing so'.
El sonido fuerte y repentino hizo que varias personas en la multitud se desmayaran.
The loud and sudden sound caused several people in the crowd to faint.
Para evitar desmayarse, es importante mantenerse hidratado y evitar el calor excesivo.
To avoid fainting, it's important to stay hydrated and avoid excessive heat.
Aunque suene dramático, a veces las emociones intensas pueden llevar a desmayarse.
Although it sounds dramatic, sometimes intense emotions can lead to fainting.
Se desmayó en medio de la multitud debido al calor extremo y la falta de hidratación.
She fainted in the middle of the crowd due to extreme heat and lack of hydration.
Here, 'desmayarse' is used reflexively, indicating the action happened to the subject.
El impacto emocional fue tan grande que casi me desmayo al recibir la noticia.
The emotional impact was so great that I almost fainted upon receiving the news.
Again, the reflexive form 'desmayarse' is used.
Si ves a alguien desmayarse, lo primero es colocarle en una posición segura y llamar a emergencias.
If you see someone faint, the first thing is to place them in a safe position and call emergencies.
'Desmayarse' is used as an infinitive after 'ver', referring to the action of fainting.
La visión de la sangre hizo que algunos espectadores comenzaran a desmayarse en la obra de teatro.
The sight of blood caused some spectators to start fainting at the play.
Here, 'comenzar a desmayarse' means 'to start to faint'.
Nunca creí que una noticia tan impactante pudiera hacer desmayar a una persona tan fuerte.
I never thought such shocking news could make such a strong person faint.
'Hacer desmayar' means 'to make (someone) faint'.
Después de correr la maratón sin suficiente preparación, era previsible que algunos atletas se desmayaran.
After running the marathon without enough preparation, it was predictable that some athletes would faint.
The subjunctive 'se desmayaran' is used after 'era previsible que' (it was predictable that).
A pesar de la fiebre alta y el cansancio, logró no desmayarse durante la presentación.
Despite the high fever and fatigue, she managed not to faint during the presentation.
'Lograr no desmayarse' means 'to manage not to faint'.
El calor sofocante del verano puede desmayar incluso a las personas más acostumbradas a altas temperaturas.
The suffocating summer heat can make even the most accustomed people to high temperatures faint.
In this non-reflexive use, 'desmayar' acts transitively, meaning 'to cause to faint'.
자주 쓰는 조합
자주 쓰는 구문
Empecé a sentirme mal y pensé que iba a desmayarme.
I started feeling unwell and thought I was going to faint.
El calor era insoportable y varias personas se desmayaron.
The heat was unbearable and several people fainted.
No comas nada y te vas a desmayar.
Don't eat anything and you're going to faint.
Se desmayó al ver la sangre.
He fainted when he saw the blood.
¿Alguna vez te has desmayado?
Have you ever fainted?
El médico dijo que se desmayó por falta de azúcar.
The doctor said he fainted from lack of sugar.
Si te sientes mareado, siéntate para no desmayarte.
If you feel dizzy, sit down so you don't faint.
Casi me desmayo de la risa con su chiste.
I almost fainted from laughing at his joke.
La noticia le causó un shock y estuvo a punto de desmayarse.
The news shocked her and she was on the verge of fainting.
Es común desmayarse después de donar sangre.
It's common to faint after donating blood.
문법 패턴
문장 패턴
Subject + desmayarse
Ella se desmayó. (She fainted.)
Subject + desmayarse + por + reason
Me desmayé por el calor. (I fainted from the heat.)
Subject + desmayarse + cuando + verb in past tense
Se desmayó cuando vio la sangre. (He fainted when he saw the blood.)
Subject + casi + desmayarse
Casi me desmayo del susto. (I almost fainted from the fright.)
Subject + hacer + (que) + alguien + se desmaye
El golpe le hizo desmayarse. (The blow made him faint.)
Subject + desmayarse + en + place
Se desmayó en medio de la calle. (She fainted in the middle of the street.)
Subject + (no) + desmayarse + ante + situation (idiomatic)
No me desmayo ante los desafíos. (I don't lose heart in the face of challenges.)
Subject + desmayar + a + object (transitive, less common for fainting)
El golpe lo desmayó. (The blow knocked him out. - *Note: This is more like 'knocked out' than 'fainted spontaneously'*)
어휘 가족
명사
형용사
사용법
Desmayar is typically used to describe the act of fainting due to physical reasons, such as heat, hunger, or a sudden shock. It's a spontaneous and often temporary loss of consciousness. You might hear it in sentences like:
- "Se desmayó del calor." (He fainted from the heat.)
- "Me sentí mareada y pensé que me iba a desmayar." (I felt dizzy and thought I was going to faint.)
A common mistake is confusing desmayar with other verbs that imply a loss of consciousness but have different nuances. For instance, while you could technically say 'perder el conocimiento' (to lose consciousness), 'desmayar' specifically refers to fainting. Don't use desmayar to describe falling asleep ('dormirse') or passing out from excessive drinking ('emborracharse' or 'perder el conocimiento por alcohol'), as these are distinct situations. Also, remember it's a reflexive verb in many common uses (e.g., 'se desmayó'), so pay attention to the pronoun.
팁
Desmayar is a regular verb
Good news! 'Desmayar' is a regular -ar verb. This means it follows the standard conjugation patterns for verbs ending in '-ar'. Once you know the pattern for one, you know it for many.
Use it like 'to faint'
Think of 'desmayar' as a direct translation of 'to faint' or 'to pass out'. For example, 'Ella se desmayó' means 'She fainted'.
Reflexive form is common
It's very common to use 'desmayarse' in its reflexive form. This emphasizes that the person themselves is doing the action. 'Me desmayo' means 'I faint'.
Synonym: 'perder el conocimiento'
A good synonym for 'desmayar' is 'perder el conocimiento', which literally means 'to lose consciousness'. This phrase is also frequently used.
Not for 'to disappoint'
Do not confuse 'desmayar' with 'to disappoint' or 'to discourage'. While it might sound similar to 'dismay' in English, their meanings are different. 'Desilusionar' or 'desanimar' are better for 'to disappoint'.
Common past tense usage
You'll often hear 'desmayar' in the past tense, especially when talking about an event that happened suddenly. For example, 'Él se desmayó en la calle' (He fainted in the street).
Context is key
The context will always make it clear. If someone is feeling dizzy or weak, 'desmayar' is likely referring to fainting. 'Se sintió mareada y se desmayó' (She felt dizzy and fainted).
Medical context
In medical contexts, you'll definitely encounter 'desmayarse' or 'síncope' (syncope) to describe a fainting spell. It's a precise term.
Figurative use: 'desmayar el ánimo'
While less common at B1, you might hear 'desmayar el ánimo' which means 'to lose heart' or 'to become discouraged'. This is a figurative use, not literal fainting.
Practice with examples
The best way to learn is by practicing. Try creating your own sentences using 'desmayar' in different tenses. 'Espero no desmayarme durante la presentación' (I hope I don't faint during the presentation).
암기하기
기억법
Imagine 'Des-MAY-ar' as 'dismay' causing you to faint. The 'may' sounds like the English word 'may', so you might say, 'Oh, I MAY faint from the dismay!'
시각적 연상
Picture someone being so dismayed by something they see, perhaps a very surprising or shocking event, that they literally faint. Visualize them slowly swaying and then gently falling to the ground, losing consciousness for a brief moment.
Word Web
챌린지
Complete the sentences with the correct form of 'desmayar': 1. Cuando vio la sangre, ella casi ________. (When she saw the blood, she almost fainted.) 2. Él se ________ del susto. (He fainted from the fright.) 3. La noticia lo hizo ________. (The news made him faint.) 4. Ten cuidado, no te vayas a ________. (Be careful, don't faint.)
실생활에서 연습하기
실제 사용 상황
Talking about someone feeling unwell:
- Creo que voy a desmayarme. (I think I'm going to faint.)
- Se sintió débil y casi se desmaya. (He felt weak and almost fainted.)
- Ella se desmayó en el concierto. (She fainted at the concert.)
Describing a medical emergency:
- El paciente se desmayó de repente. (The patient fainted suddenly.)
- ¿Alguien vio por qué se desmayó? (Did anyone see why they fainted?)
- Necesita atención médica después de desmayarse. (He needs medical attention after fainting.)
In a dramatic situation (often used figuratively):
- Me voy a desmayar de la emoción. (I'm going to faint from excitement.)
- Casi me desmayo del susto. (I almost fainted from fear.)
- Se desmayó al escuchar la noticia. (She fainted upon hearing the news.)
Giving advice or warnings:
- No te desmayes por el calor. (Don't faint from the heat.)
- Asegúrate de comer bien para no desmayarte. (Make sure to eat well so you don't faint.)
- Si te sientes mareado, siéntate para no desmayarte. (If you feel dizzy, sit down so you don't faint.)
Discussing a past event:
- ¿Te desmayaste alguna vez? (Have you ever fainted?)
- Me desmayé una vez cuando era niño. (I fainted once when I was a child.)
- Después de que se desmayó, lo llevamos al hospital. (After he fainted, we took him to the hospital.)
대화 시작하기
"¿Alguna vez te has desmayado? ¿Qué pasó?"
"¿Qué harías si alguien se desmayara cerca de ti?"
"¿Crees que es fácil desmayarse por el calor extremo?"
"¿Has visto alguna vez a alguien desmayarse en una película o serie?"
"¿Qué piensas de la gente que dice que se va a desmayar de la risa o la emoción?"
일기 주제
Describe un momento en el que te sentiste muy débil, como si fueras a desmayarte.
Imagina que estás en un lugar público y ves a alguien desmayarse. Escribe sobre lo que harías.
¿Cuáles crees que son las razones más comunes por las que alguien podría desmayarse?
Escribe sobre una situación dramática en la que alguien podría desmayarse (real o imaginaria).
Reflexiona sobre cómo el miedo o la emoción intensa pueden hacer que una persona se sienta como si fuera a desmayarse.
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문While both can mean 'to lose consciousness', 'desmayar' specifically implies a temporary loss of consciousness, often due to a sudden drop in blood pressure, like fainting. 'Perder el conocimiento' is a more general term for losing consciousness, which could be due to fainting, but also from injury, illness, or other causes. Think of 'desmayar' as a specific type of 'perder el conocimiento'.
Yes, you absolutely can! While its primary meaning is about fainting, 'desmayar' can also mean 'to lose heart', 'to lose hope', or 'to be discouraged'. For example, 'No te desmayes, puedes lograrlo' means 'Don't lose heart, you can do it.' This is a very common and useful secondary meaning.
Here's the present tense conjugation for 'desmayar':
- Yo desmayo
- Tú desmayas
- Él/Ella/Usted desmaya
- Nosotros/Nosotras desmayamos
- Vosotros/Vosotras desmayáis
- Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes desmayan
Yes, but with a slight difference in usage. 'Desmayarse' is the reflexive form, meaning 'to faint' or 'to pass out' (something happens to oneself). For example, 'Ella se desmayó en el concierto' (She fainted at the concert). 'Desmayar' without the 'se' can also mean 'to faint', but it can also be used transitively, though less commonly in modern Spanish, to mean 'to cause to faint' or 'to discourage'. For learners, focus on 'desmayarse' for 'to faint'.
A very common and practical phrase is 'estar a punto de desmayarse' which means 'to be about to faint'. For example, 'Me sentía mareado y estaba a punto de desmayarme' (I felt dizzy and was about to faint).
Yes, a very close synonym is 'perder el conocimiento' (to lose consciousness). You might also hear 'sufrió un desmayo' (suffered a faint) or 'un vahído' (a dizzy spell, which can lead to fainting). For the act of fainting itself, 'desmayarse' is usually the most direct and common choice.
You would say, 'Casi se desmaya' or 'Estuvo a punto de desmayarse'. Both are perfectly natural and commonly used. Remember that 'se' for the reflexive verb 'desmayarse'.
Yes, the noun form for 'faint' or 'fainting spell' is 'el desmayo'. For example, 'Sufrió un desmayo por el calor' (He suffered a faint due to the heat).
No, 'desmayar' is exclusively used for living beings, typically people, as it relates to consciousness or emotional state. You wouldn't say a machine 'desmayó'.
In the preterite (simple past), it would be:
- Yo me desmayé
- Tú te desmayaste
- Él/Ella/Usted se desmayó
- Nosotros/Nosotras nos desmayamos
- Vosotros/Vosotras os desmayasteis
- Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes se desmayaron
셀프 테스트 90 질문
Which word means 'to faint'?
The word 'desmayar' means to lose consciousness, or to faint.
If you feel dizzy and weak, you might:
Feeling dizzy and weak are signs that someone might faint.
Which action happens when someone 'se desmaya'?
'Se desmaya' means to faint, which is to lose consciousness briefly.
To 'desmayar' means to eat a lot.
'Desmayar' means to faint, not to eat.
If someone 'se desmaya', they are unconscious for a short time.
When someone 'se desmaya' (faints), they lose consciousness for a brief period.
You can 'desmayar' from excitement.
Extreme emotions, like excitement, can sometimes cause someone to faint.
The woman is going to faint.
He fainted at the concert.
Don't faint, please.
Read this aloud:
Ella se desmaya a menudo.
Focus: des-ma-ya
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
¿Te desmayaste ayer?
Focus: des-ma-yas-te
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
No quiero desmayarme.
Focus: des-ma-yar-me
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Después de correr mucho, María empezó a sentirse mal y ____.
The context implies she felt bad after running and then lost consciousness, so 'desmayó' (fainted) fits best.
El calor era tan fuerte que la señora casi se ____ en la calle.
The extreme heat suggests a person might faint, making 'se desmaya' (faints) the correct choice.
Cuando vio la sangre, el enfermero ____ por un momento.
Seeing blood can cause some people to faint, so 'se desmayó' (fainted) is the appropriate verb.
No comas mucho azúcar, podrías ____.
Eating too much sugar can sometimes lead to feeling unwell and potentially fainting. 'Desmayarte' (to faint) is the correct reflexive infinitive here.
La noticia fue tan impactante que el hombre ____.
A shocking piece of news can cause someone to faint, so 'se desmayó' (fainted) is the best fit.
El doctor le dijo que no debe ____ si se siente débil.
If someone feels weak, the doctor would advise against fainting. 'Desmayarse' (to faint) is the correct reflexive infinitive here.
Choose the best translation for 'desmayar':
'Desmayar' means to lose consciousness, or to faint.
Which sentence uses 'desmayar' correctly?
The sentence 'Ella se va a desmayar si no come algo' (She is going to faint if she doesn't eat something) uses 'desmayar' in its correct context. The other options use the verb incorrectly.
What is a synonym for 'desmayar' in the context of losing consciousness?
'Perder el conocimiento' (to lose consciousness) is a synonym for 'desmayar' when referring to fainting.
If someone 'se desmaya', they are probably feeling very energetic.
If someone 'se desmaya' (faints), they are likely feeling weak or ill, not energetic.
You can 'desmayar' a person by telling them a funny joke.
'Desmayar' means to faint or lose consciousness, which is not something that happens from hearing a funny joke. You might make someone laugh, but not faint.
It's common for people to 'desmayar' if they are very hungry and haven't eaten for a long time.
Yes, feeling very hungry and not eating for a long time can lead to low blood sugar and cause someone to 'desmayar' (faint).
What happened to my friend after running a lot?
What is the speaker worried might happen to 'ella'?
What can extreme heat cause people to do?
Read this aloud:
Mi abuela siempre dice que si no desayunas, te puedes desmayar.
Focus: desmayar
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
No quiero desmayarme en público.
Focus: desmayarme
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Me sentí mareado y pensé que me iba a desmayar.
Focus: mareado, desmayar
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence means 'she fainted'. 'Ella' is the subject, 'se' is the reflexive pronoun, and 'desmayó' is the past tense of 'desmayar'.
This sentence means 'I don't want to faint'. 'No' negates the verb 'quiero', and 'desmayarme' is the infinitive with the reflexive pronoun attached.
This sentence means 'the sun made him faint'. 'El sol' is the subject, 'lo' is the direct object pronoun, 'hizo' is the past tense of 'hacer' (to make), and 'desmayar' is the infinitive.
What happened when she saw the blood?
What happened after the marathon?
What is the warning about not eating?
Read this aloud:
Di: 'Ella se desmayó en el concierto.'
Focus: des-ma-yó
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Di: 'No quiero desmayarme durante la presentación.'
Focus: des-ma-yar-me
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Di: 'El doctor dijo que no se desmayará.'
Focus: des-ma-ya-rá
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Imagine you are describing a dramatic scene in a story. Write two sentences describing someone fainting. Use 'desmayar' correctly.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
La multitud se agolpaba y el calor era insoportable. De repente, la joven comenzó a tambalearse y se desmayó en los brazos de su amiga.
Write a short sentence explaining a common reason why someone might faint. Use 'desmayar'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
A veces, las personas pueden desmayarse por la falta de comida o agua.
Describe a personal experience (real or imagined) where you or someone you know almost fainted. Use 'desmayar' in your description.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Una vez, en un día muy caluroso, estuve de pie mucho tiempo y casi me desmayo. Me sentí muy mareado.
¿Por qué creyó la hermana que iba a desmayarse?
Read this passage:
Ayer, mi hermana y yo fuimos al concierto. Había mucha gente y el aire acondicionado no funcionaba bien. Mi hermana, que no había comido nada en todo el día, empezó a sentirse mal. Me dijo: 'Creo que me voy a desmayar'.
¿Por qué creyó la hermana que iba a desmayarse?
El texto menciona que 'no había comido nada en todo el día' y que el aire acondicionado 'no funcionaba bien', lo que implica calor.
El texto menciona que 'no había comido nada en todo el día' y que el aire acondicionado 'no funcionaba bien', lo que implica calor.
¿Qué recomienda el doctor para evitar desmayarse?
Read this passage:
El doctor explicó que es importante beber suficiente agua, especialmente cuando hace calor. También recomendó comer regularmente para evitar que el azúcar en la sangre baje demasiado, lo cual podría causar que una persona se desmaye.
¿Qué recomienda el doctor para evitar desmayarse?
El doctor recomienda 'beber suficiente agua' y 'comer regularmente para evitar que el azúcar en la sangre baje demasiado'.
El doctor recomienda 'beber suficiente agua' y 'comer regularmente para evitar que el azúcar en la sangre baje demasiado'.
¿Qué hizo la abuela para no desmayarse?
Read this passage:
Después de un largo viaje en autobús, la abuela se sentía muy cansada. Cuando se levantó para bajar, se mareó un poco y tuvo que sentarse de nuevo rápidamente para no desmayarse. Su nieto le ofreció una botella de agua.
¿Qué hizo la abuela para no desmayarse?
El texto dice que 'tuvo que sentarse de nuevo rápidamente para no desmayarse'.
El texto dice que 'tuvo que sentarse de nuevo rápidamente para no desmayarse'.
This sentence means 'She fainted from the heat.' It shows the reflexive use of 'desmayar'.
This sentence means 'He could faint if he doesn't drink water.' It uses the conditional form of 'desmayar'.
This sentence means 'She didn't want to faint during the presentation.' It uses 'desmayar' in the infinitive after 'querer'.
Imagine you are writing a short story. Describe a situation where a character might desmayar (faint). Focus on the events leading up to it and the immediate aftermath.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
La sala estaba muy llena y hacía calor. De repente, sentí un mareo terrible y mis piernas se pusieron débiles. Empecé a ver todo borroso. Antes de darme cuenta, caí al suelo. Cuando abrí los ojos, un grupo de personas me rodeaba, preguntando si estaba bien. Me tomó unos minutos recuperar la conciencia por completo.
You are a health reporter explaining what someone should do if they see another person desmayarse (faint). Write a short paragraph with practical advice.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Si ves a alguien desmayarse, es importante actuar rápidamente pero con calma. Primero, acuesta a la persona boca arriba y eleva sus piernas por encima del nivel del corazón para mejorar el flujo sanguíneo al cerebro. Afloja cualquier ropa ajustada alrededor del cuello y asegúrate de que tenga suficiente aire fresco. Si no recupera la conciencia rápidamente, busca ayuda médica.
Describe a time you felt very tired or overwhelmed to the point where you thought you might desmayar (faint), even if you didn't actually faint. What caused it and how did you feel?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Una vez, después de un día muy largo de trabajo y sin haber comido bien, empecé a sentir un cansancio extremo. Estaba tan estresado que mi visión se volvió un poco borrosa y empecé a sudar frío. Realmente pensé que iba a desmayarme allí mismo. Tuve que sentarme inmediatamente y tomar un poco de agua. Claramente, necesitaba descansar.
¿Qué le sucedió al anciano después de recibir la noticia?
Read this passage:
El anciano, tras recibir la noticia devastadora, se puso pálido. Su corazón latía con fuerza y sentía que el aire le faltaba. Antes de que alguien pudiera reaccionar, se desplomó al suelo, perdiendo el conocimiento por unos segundos. Fue un momento de pánico para todos los presentes.
¿Qué le sucedió al anciano después de recibir la noticia?
El pasaje indica claramente que el anciano 'se desplomó al suelo, perdiendo el conocimiento por unos segundos', lo que significa que se desmayó.
El pasaje indica claramente que el anciano 'se desplomó al suelo, perdiendo el conocimiento por unos segundos', lo que significa que se desmayó.
¿Cuál es una causa común de desmayo mencionada en el texto?
Read this passage:
La exposición prolongada al sol sin protección y la falta de hidratación adecuada pueden llevar a un golpe de calor. Uno de los síntomas más graves de esta condición es el desmayo, que ocurre cuando el cuerpo no puede regular su temperatura interna, afectando el flujo sanguíneo al cerebro.
¿Cuál es una causa común de desmayo mencionada en el texto?
El texto menciona que 'La exposición prolongada al sol sin protección y la falta de hidratación adecuada pueden llevar a un golpe de calor' y que 'Uno de los síntomas más graves de esta condición es el desmayo'.
El texto menciona que 'La exposición prolongada al sol sin protección y la falta de hidratación adecuada pueden llevar a un golpe de calor' y que 'Uno de los síntomas más graves de esta condición es el desmayo'.
¿Qué evitó que la mujer se desmayara completamente?
Read this passage:
Durante la ceremonia, el calor en la iglesia era insoportable. Varios asistentes comenzaron a sentirse mareados y débiles. Una mujer, de pie en la parte de atrás, perdió el equilibrio y estuvo a punto de desmayarse, pero afortunadamente, su esposo la sostuvo a tiempo y la ayudó a sentarse para tomar aire.
¿Qué evitó que la mujer se desmayara completamente?
El pasaje dice que 'su esposo la sostuvo a tiempo y la ayudó a sentarse', lo que impidió que se desmayara por completo.
El pasaje dice que 'su esposo la sostuvo a tiempo y la ayudó a sentarse', lo que impidió que se desmayara por completo.
This sentence describes someone starting to faint after seeing blood. The structure is 'After seeing the blood, she started to faint.'
This sentence explains that intense heat caused several people to faint at the concert. The structure is 'The intense heat caused several people to faint at the concert.'
This sentence reassures someone that another person only fainted for a moment and is now waking up. The structure is 'Don't worry, he/she only fainted for a moment and is already waking up.'
Tras la noticia impactante, ella empezó a sentirse débil y finalmente se ______.
The preterite tense is used here to describe a completed action in the past.
El calor extremo en la sala hizo que varios asistentes ______ durante la ceremonia.
The imperfect subjunctive is used because 'hizo que' (it caused that) introduces a subordinate clause requiring the subjunctive mood to express a cause or influence.
A pesar de su agotamiento, el alpinista se negó a ______ en medio de la escalada.
The reflexive infinitive 'desmayarse' is required here because 'negarse a' (to refuse to) is followed by an infinitive, and the action of fainting is performed by the subject on themselves.
La enfermera explicó que un nivel bajo de azúcar en la sangre puede hacer que una persona se ______.
The present subjunctive is used after 'puede hacer que' (can cause that) to express a potential or hypothetical outcome.
Si no tomas suficiente agua en este clima, podrías ______ fácilmente.
The reflexive infinitive 'desmayarte' is used after a modal verb like 'podrías' (you could), where the action is performed by the subject on themselves.
No quiero que nadie se ______ por el susto, así que mantengamos la calma.
The present subjunctive is used after 'No quiero que' (I don't want that) to express a desire or command regarding someone else's action.
Pay attention to whether the weather forecast mentions a risk of fainting due to heat.
Listen for the main reason why people fainted in the news report.
Identify the situation that almost caused the character to faint.
Read this aloud:
Describe una situación donde tú o alguien que conoces se desmayó o estuvo a punto de hacerlo, y qué lo provocó.
Focus: desmayó
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Imagina que estás explicando a un amigo cómo prevenir desmayos en un día caluroso. ¿Qué consejos le darías?
Focus: prevenir
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Habla sobre las posibles consecuencias de desmayarse en un lugar público concurrido.
Focus: consecuencias
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Después de la extenuante maratón, varios corredores empezaron a ___ en la línea de meta.
The reflexive form 'desmayarse' is required here, as it describes the act of losing consciousness performed by the subjects themselves. 'Desmayar' without 'se' is less common for this meaning.
La intensidad del discurso fue tal que una persona del público estuvo a punto de ___.
Again, the reflexive form 'desmayarse' is the correct verb tense for 'to faint' in this context.
Se dice que el calor extremo puede hacer que la gente ___ fácilmente si no se hidrata.
The subjunctive 'desmaye' is used because the phrase 'puede hacer que' introduces a possibility or consequence, requiring the subjunctive mood.
El solo pensamiento de ver sangre la hacía ___ de miedo.
The verb 'hacer' followed by an infinitive or reflexive infinitive is common. 'Hacer desmayarse' means 'to make someone faint'.
Después de pasar días sin dormir, era inevitable que en algún momento fuera a ___.
The construction 'ir a + infinitive' expresses a future action or intention. 'Desmayarse' is the correct infinitive form.
El doctor le advirtió que si seguía estresado, podría ___ de agotamiento.
Similar to previous examples, the reflexive 'desmayarse' is the most natural and common way to express 'to faint' in this context.
This sentence structure correctly conveys that the vision caused her to faint.
This sentence uses 'podría' for possibility and 'si no come algo' as the condition for fainting.
This sentence indicates a tendency to faint after extreme exertion.
/ 90 correct
Perfect score!
Desmayar is a regular verb
Good news! 'Desmayar' is a regular -ar verb. This means it follows the standard conjugation patterns for verbs ending in '-ar'. Once you know the pattern for one, you know it for many.
Use it like 'to faint'
Think of 'desmayar' as a direct translation of 'to faint' or 'to pass out'. For example, 'Ella se desmayó' means 'She fainted'.
Reflexive form is common
It's very common to use 'desmayarse' in its reflexive form. This emphasizes that the person themselves is doing the action. 'Me desmayo' means 'I faint'.
Synonym: 'perder el conocimiento'
A good synonym for 'desmayar' is 'perder el conocimiento', which literally means 'to lose consciousness'. This phrase is also frequently used.
예시
Se desmayó por el calor extremo durante la ceremonia.
관련 콘텐츠
health 관련 단어
abdomen
B1The part of the body of a vertebrate containing the digestive organs.
accidentarse
B1To have an accident.
adelgazar
A2To lose weight or become thinner.
además de
B1In addition to.
adicción
B1The fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance or activity.
adicto
B1Physically and mentally dependent on a particular substance.
adicto/a
B1Physically or psychologically dependent on a particular substance or activity.
adolorido
B1Feeling pain or soreness.
afección
B1A medical condition, ailment, or affection.
afectivo
B1affective; emotional
