sobre aviso
Lemma Details
Translation: on alert; forewarned; on notice
Part of Speech: phrase
Etymology: This phrase combines 'sobre' (from Latin 'super' meaning 'over' or 'above') and 'aviso' (from Latin 'advisum', past participle of 'advertere' meaning 'to turn toward' or 'to heed'). Together they form an expression indicating a state of alertness or being forewarned about something.
Commonality: 60%
Guessability: 40%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Mnemonics
- Think of 'sobre' as 'over' and 'aviso' as 'advice' - you're 'over-advised' or well-informed about a situation.
- Imagine someone standing 'sobre' (over) a warning sign ('aviso') to emphasize being alert.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
This phrase is commonly used in situations where caution or vigilance is needed. It appears in both formal contexts like official warnings and everyday conversation when alerting someone to potential problems.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'sobre aviso' means being warned or alerted, 'sin aviso' means 'without warning' - the opposite meaning.
Confused word:
Llegó sin aviso y nos sorprendió a todos.
He arrived without warning and surprised us all.
Notes: These phrases are contextual opposites and are used in similar situations but with contrary meanings.
Mnemonic: 'Sobre' (on) means you have the warning, 'sin' (without) means you don't.
Explanation: 'Sobre aviso' is a fixed phrase meaning 'on alert', while 'sobre el aviso' would literally mean 'on the notice/warning' and is not an established expression.
Confused word:
Puso una nota sobre el aviso en el tablón.
He put a note on top of the notice on the board.
Notes: The absence of the article 'el' in 'sobre aviso' is crucial to its idiomatic meaning.
Mnemonic: 'Sobre aviso' (no article) is the fixed expression for being warned; with 'el' it becomes literal positioning.