competición
“competición” means “competition” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
competition, contest
Also: tournament, match
📝 In Action
La competición de natación será mañana por la mañana.
A2The swimming competition will be tomorrow morning.
Ganaron la competición gracias a un gol en el último minuto.
B1They won the competition thanks to a goal in the last minute.
Hay mucha emoción antes de la competición final.
A2There is a lot of excitement before the final contest.
competition, rivalry
Also: contest (for resources)
📝 In Action
La fuerte competición obliga a las empresas a mejorar sus productos.
B1Strong competition forces companies to improve their products.
No me gusta la competición constante en mi trabajo.
B2I don't like the constant rivalry (competition) in my job.
Han eliminado la competición de precios en ese mercado.
C1They have eliminated price competition in that market.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: competición
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'competición'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes from the Latin verb *competere*, which meant 'to meet together' or 'to agree', but later evolved to mean 'to strive together toward the same goal' or 'to be qualified for something'. The Spanish noun 'competición' was formed by adding the suffix '-ción' (which means 'the act of').
First recorded: 15th century (in similar forms)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a difference between 'competición' and 'competencia'?
Yes, but it varies by region. 'Competición' usually refers specifically to the event or contest (like a marathon). 'Competencia' can also mean the event, but it often means 'ability' or 'skill' (like 'He has the competence/ability to do the job'). In Latin America, 'competencia' is often the preferred word for 'competition' in general.
How do I know if I should use 'la' or 'el' with 'competición'?
Always use 'la' because 'competición' is always feminine. Nouns ending in '-ción' are nearly always feminine in Spanish.