competencia de natación
/kompetenθja de nataθjon/from spelling rules
The English phrase swim meet is translated into Spanish as competencia de natación.
A swim meet is a competitive swimming event where athletes race against each other. While 'swim meet' is a common collocation in English, Spanish speakers almost always use the word 'competencia' or 'encuentro' to describe the event.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase competencia de natación literally means 'swimming competition'. It is composed of competencia (competition) and de natación (of swimming).
Which one should you use?
You may also use encuentro de natación as a common alternative used to describe a swimming meet or gathering.
How do you pronounce it?
/kompetenθja de nataθjon/
Did you know?
- While competencia is the standard word for 'competition', in a professional context it can also mean 'competence' or 'jurisdiction'. A legal competencia refers to the authority of a court to hear a case.
- In some Spanish-speaking countries, a swim meet is called a torneo, which is more commonly used for 'tournament' in sports like tennis or chess.
- The word competencia shares a common root with the English word 'compete', both stemming from the Latin 'competēns', which originally described things striving or contending together.
Examples in context
- ¡Participaré en una competencia de natación este fin de semana!I will be participating in a swim meet this weekend!
- ¿Vas a ir al torneo de natación en el centro deportivo mañana?Are you going to the swim meet at the sports center tomorrow?
- ¡Ganamos el encuentro de natación contra el equipo rival!We won the swim meet against the rival team!
- Mañana tengo una competencia de natación.Tomorrow I have a swim meet.
- ¿Vas a asistir a la competencia de natación?Are you going to attend the swim meet?
- La competencia de natación fue muy emocionante.The swim meet was very exciting.
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are talking about his weekend plans.
- MateoLucía, ¿vienes a mi competencia de natación?Lucía, are you coming to my swim meet?
- LucíaSí, me encantaría verte nadar.Yes, I would love to see you swim.
- MateoGracias, significa mucho para mí.Thanks, it means a lot to me.
- LucíaNo hay de qué, Mateo.You're welcome, Mateo.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries competencia, de, natación, CC BY-SA 4.0.
