comprometer

to commit

verb kom-proh-meh-TEHR Less Common

Origin: from Latin compromittere (to make a mutual promise)

Also means

to compromise

Usage Note

Comprometer means to commit or pledge (se comprometió a pagar) and also to compromise or jeopardize something (eso compromete la seguridad). The reflexive comprometerse can mean to get engaged to be married in everyday Spanish: se comprometieron el año pasado. This last sense is a potential false friend: English 'to compromise' (reach a middle ground) is llegar a un acuerdo or transigir.

Examples

"Se comprometió a entregar el informe antes del viernes."

Natural Translation

He committed to delivering the report before Friday.

Free starter pack

Building your Spanish vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common Spanish words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Related Words

Explore Spanish by topic

SpanishNow

Spanish Reflexive Verbs: Me, Te, Se Made Clear

Spanish reflexive verbs use me, te, se for actions you do to yourself. Master the daily-routine pattern, pronoun placement, and shifts like dormir vs dormirse.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Te Quiero vs Te Amo: Saying "I Love You" in Spanish

Te quiero vs te amo, explained: te quiero is the warm, safe everyday I love you; te amo is deeper and more romantic. A relationship-by-relationship map.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Mexican Spanish Slang Every Traveler Should Know

Mexican Spanish slang decoded for travelers: what güey, mande, órale, and ahorita really mean, who you can safely say them to, and how rude each one is.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Spanish Accent Marks: 3 Rules for Every Word

A Spanish word needs an accent mark in just three cases: it breaks the default stress, it's a homophone, or a weak vowel splits off. Here are all three rules.

June 3, 2026 6 min read