Atreverse vs. osar

In Spanish, 'atreverse' and 'osar' both mean 'to dare', but they are used differently and can convey different nuances depending on the context.

Atreverse

'Atreverse' means to take a risk or to show courage in doing something that may be challenging or dangerous. It implies a sense of personal bravery or boldness.
No me atrevo a saltar desde aquí.
(I don't dare to jump from here.)
Ella se atrevió a hablar con el director.
(She dared to speak with the principal.)
¿Te atreves a viajar solo?
(Do you dare to travel alone?)
Nos atrevimos a entrar en la casa abandonada.
(We dared to enter the abandoned house.)

Osar

'Osar' is more formal and literary compared to 'atreverse'. It means to dare in the sense of showing audacity or presumption, often carrying a connotation of defiance or challenge.
¿Cómo osas hablarme así?
(How dare you speak to me like that?)
Nadie osa cuestionar su autoridad.
(No one dares to question his authority.)
Osó desafiar al rey en público.
(He dared to challenge the king in public.)
Osemos soñar con un futuro mejor.
(Let us dare to dream of a better future.)

Summary

'Atreverse' implies personal bravery and boldness in facing challenging situations, often used in everyday language. On the other hand, 'osar' is more formal and conveys a sense of defiance or audacity, often found in literary or dramatic contexts. Both words indicate daring but with different nuances and usage contexts.