competir
/kompeˈtiɾ/
The Spanish verb for 'to compete' is competir. Wiktionary also lists competer (disused).
Meaning: to contend (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| competir | /kompeˈtiɾ/ |
| competer (disused) |
competir means to contend. When you want to express competing against someone or something, use the preposition con after the verb (competir con).
How does it change in a sentence?
competir is a regular -ir verb in the present indicative tense. Its forms include compites, compite, competimos, competís and compiten. The third-person singular preterite form is compitió, and the gerund form is compitiendo.
How do you pronounce it?
/kompeˈtiɾ/
Did you know?
- In formal Spanish, the phrase no me compete is used to politely say 'it is not my place to decide' or 'it is not my department'.
- The verb competir shares a hidden ancestor with the English word 'petition', as both trace back to the Latin 'petere', meaning 'to seek' or 'to head towards'.
- The noun related to the verb, competencia, can mean 'competition' in a business sense, but it is also the standard word for 'competence' or 'skill'.
Examples in context
- No voy a competir mañana.I'm not going to compete tomorrow.This sentence uses competir.Tatoeba #7996664 by arh, translation #7994325 by CK
- No podemos competir con Asia.We can't compete with Asia.Tatoeba #1388707 by marcelostockle, translation #1388685 by Spamster
- Tuve que competir con él por un ascenso.I had to compete with him for promotion.Tatoeba #1560368 by marcelostockle, translation #258706 by CK
- Los atletas se preparan para competir en los Juegos Olímpicos.Athletes are getting ready to compete in the Olympic Games.
- Los equipos disputarán el campeonato este fin de semana.The teams will compete for the championship this weekend.
- Los participantes deberán contender por el premio mayor.The participants will have to compete for the grand prize.
- Vamos a jugar un partido de tenis para competir.Let's play a tennis match to compete.
- Los amigos se retaron a superar sus récords personales.The friends challenged each each other to beat their personal records.
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are talking about a sports tournament.
- Mateo¿Quieres competir en el torneo de tenis?Do you want to compete in the tennis tournament?
- SofíaSí, pero me da un poco de miedo competir.Yes, but I am a little afraid to compete.
- MateoNo te preocupes, eres una gran jugadora.Don't worry, you are a great player.
- SofíaGracias, Mateo, lo intentaré con gusto.Thanks, Mateo, I will try it gladly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “compete” translations and entries competir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries competir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
