lidiar
/liˈdjaɾ/
To cope in Spanish is lidiar.
The verb lidiar means to deal effectively with something. It often carries a connotation of struggling against or managing a situation that is difficult, annoying or confrontational. In the specific context of bullfighting, it is used to describe the act of a bullfighter facing and managing a bull. Related to this, the noun capa pluvial refers to a ceremonial cloak.
Meaning: to deal effectively with something (verb)
Which one should you use?
While lidiar is used for managing difficult or confrontational situations, if you want to express coping with an emotional burden or a difficult period of time, such as grief or stress, without the connotation of conflict, sobrellevar is a more natural choice.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb lidiar is almost always used with the preposition con to mean 'to cope with' or 'to deal with'.
How do you pronounce it?
/liˈdjaɾ/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word lidiar is a sibling to the English word 'litigate'. Both come from the Latin lītigāre, which originally meant to engage in a dispute.
- While lidiar is used for conflict, sobrellevar is the standard term for coping with grief. Using lidiar in a funeral context would sound as if you were fighting with the deceased.
- The word lidiar can also be used in the context of 'dealing with' livestock or animals in a rural setting, shifting the meaning from a mental struggle to a physical management of animals.
Examples in context
- Me pregunté cómo podía lidiar con esto.I wondered how I would cope with this.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use lidiar in a personal context.Tatoeba #1591079 by teskmon, translation #625890 by ulyssemc1
- Él va a lidiar con problemas difíciles.He'll cope with difficult problems.This sentence shows how to use lidiar when talking about handling difficult problems.Tatoeba #758108 by darinmex, translation #302147 by CM
- Me siento abrumado, pero tengo que aprender a lidiar con el estrés.I feel overwhelmed, but I have to learn to cope with stress.
- A pesar de las dificultades, siempre encuentro una manera de superar los obstáculos.Despite the difficulties, I always find a way to cope with obstacles.
- Aprender a lidiar con la presión es fundamental para tener éxito en esta profesión.Learning to cope with pressure is essential to succeed in this profession.
- Cuando me siento abrumado, simplemente intento superar los obstáculos y seguir adelante.When I feel overwhelmed, I simply try to overcome the obstacles and move forward.
- No me gusta sentirme perdido, pero siempre me las arreglo para salir adelante.I don't like feeling lost, but I always find a way to cope and get ahead.
- Aunque las cosas sean difíciles, siempre encuentro la manera de arreglármelas y seguir adelante.Even when things are tough, I always find a way to cope and keep going.
- Ella tiene que lidiar con mucho estrés.She has to deal with a lot of stress.
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are talking about a difficult project at work.
- JavierTengo demasiado trabajo y no sé cómo lidiar con todo.I have too much work and I don't know how to cope with everything.
- SofíaPuedes pedir ayuda a los demás, Javier.You can ask others for help, Javier.
- JavierTienes razón, así será más fácil lidiar con la presión.You're right, that way it will be easier to cope with the pressure.
- SofíaExacto, no intentes hacerlo todo tú sola.Exactly, don't try to do it all by yourself.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cope” translations and entries lidiar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lidiar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
