Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| discutir | /diskuˈtiɾ/ |
| porfiar | /poɾˈfjaɾ/ |
| reñir | /reˈɲiɾ/ |
| polemizar | /polemiˈθaɾ/ /polemiˈsaɾ/ |
| argüir | /aɾˈɡwiɾ/ /aɾɡuˈiɾ/ |
| argumentar | /aɾɡumenˈtaɾ/ |
The word for argue depends heavily on whether you mean having a verbal quarrel, presenting a logical point or engaging in a public controversy. While discutir is the most common way to describe having an argument or a disagreement, it can also mean to discuss a topic neutrally. For presenting reasoned arguments to support a specific viewpoint, use argumentar. To engage in a public or intellectual controversy, use polemizar. If you are specifically contradicting someone's opinion, the verb contradecir is appropriate. For a more structured debate, such as in professional or scholarly settings, use debatir. In very formal, legal or philosophical contexts, you might encounter the archaic term argüir, which means to infer or to state an argument.
Which one should you use?
There are distinct differences between these terms based on intent. Use discutir for a heated argument or a disagreement, but note it also functions as the standard word for 'to discuss' a topic neutrally. In contrast, argumentar should be used when you are providing logical reasons or evidence to support a point rather than just having a quarrel. For intellectual or journalistic engagement in a controversy, use polemizar. Additionally, argüir is a highly formal and somewhat archaic term used to mean 'to infer'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The level of formality varies significantly. Argumentar and polemizar are more formal, used for logical reasoning and intellectual controversy respectively. Argüir is highly formal and often found in legal or philosophical texts. In colloquial or informal settings, you might hear echar la bronca to describe a heated confrontation or admonishment or the phrase armar lío to describe causing a mess or a heated argument.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin America, the term pelear is commonly used in informal contexts to mean argue or fight.
How do you pronounce it?
/diskuˈtiɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful with the false friend discutir. English speakers often mistakenly use it thinking it only means 'to discuss' a topic, but in Spanish, it frequently carries the connotation of a heated disagreement or a fight.
Did you know?
- The colloquial phrase echar la bronca literally translates to 'throwing the bronze', but it is used to describe a heated confrontation or a scolding.
- The word discutir comes from the Latin discutere, which originally meant 'to dash to pieces' or 'to scatter'.
- The verb argüir is one of the few words in Spanish that uses the ü (dieresis) to ensure the u is pronounced, preventing it from being silent like in guitarra.
Examples in context
- No voy a discutir con vos.I'm not going to argue with you.This example shows how to use discutir with a person.Tatoeba #5038578 by don_ramon, translation #1839536 by CK
- No deseo discutir contigo.I don't want to argue with you.This example shows the use of discutir with the prepositional phrase 'contigo'.Tatoeba #7134903 by arh, translation #2014268 by CK
- ¿Quieres discutir de nuevo?Do you want to argue again?This example uses discutir to ask about a repeated argument.Tatoeba #1610652 by teskmon, translation #1114085 by CM
- Me veo en la necesidad de contradecir tu afirmaciónI feel the need to contradict your statement
- A continuación, argumentaré mi postura respecto a este temaNext, I will argue my position on this matter
- Me cansé de pelear contigo por cosas insignificantesI'm tired of arguing with you over trivial things
- Siempre arma un lío cuando no está de acuerdoHe/she always causes a scene when he/she disagrees
- Me echó la bronca por llegar tardeHe/she chewed me out for being late
- 30 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are at home after a tense day.
- LucíaMateo, no quiero discutir contigo ahora.Mateo, I don't want to argue with you right now.
- MateoEstá bien, Lucía, tienes razón.Alright, Lucía, you are right.
- LucíaPodemos hablar cuando estemos más tranquilos.We can talk when we are calmer.
- MateoMe parece bien, vamos a descansar.That sounds good to me, let's rest.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “argue” translations and entries discutir, porfiar, reñir, polemizar, argüir, argumentar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries discutir, porfiar, reñir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
