avisarse

Avisarse is a Spanish pronominal verb formed from avisar (to inform, to warn) plus the reflexive pronoun. In its reflexive use, avisarse primarily means to become aware of something or to notice, to realize a fact, sometimes translated as “to realize” or “to notice.” It can also express that one informs oneself about a matter or checks information. The non-reflexive form avisar is used when informing or warning someone else.

Usage and constructions

The core sense of avisarse is personal awareness: avisarse de algo or de que clause means to realize or find out about it. Examples include realizing that it is late or that plans have changed. "Me avisé de que era tarde" or more idiomatic in many dialects, "Me di cuenta de que era tarde" but avisarse is widely understood as a reflexive equivalent. Avisarse de los cambios means to inform oneself about the updates or to become aware of new information. In practice, avisarse is common in Spain and Latin America, though speakers may prefer darse cuenta or enterarse in informal speech.

Conjugation and notes

Avisarse is a regular -ar verb formed with reflexive pronouns. It conjugates like a typical -ar verb, but the pronoun must agree with the subject (me, te, se, nos, os, se). For example, present tense: me avisa? or me aviso; past tense forms and other tenses follow the regular patterns of reflexive -ar verbs, with the reflexive pronoun placed before the verb or attached to the end in certain forms.

Etymology

Avisarse derives from avisar, sharing its core meaning of informing or warning, but the addition of the reflexive pronoun shifts the focus to the subject’s own awareness or self-informing.

See also

Avisar, darse cuenta, enterarse, aviso.