contra
/KON-tra/
against
Depicting two sides directly opposing each other, illustrating 'contra' as 'versus' or 'against' in competition.
contra(Preposition)
📝 In Action
Estoy en contra de esa idea.
A2I am against that idea.
El partido de hoy es Argentina contra Brasil.
A2Today's match is Argentina versus Brazil.
El coche chocó contra un árbol.
B1The car crashed into a tree.
Te cambio mi manzana contra tu naranja.
B2I'll trade you my apple for your orange.
💡 Grammar Points
Showing Opposition
Contra is your go-to word to show that one thing is opposed to, competing with, or physically up against another. Think of it as creating a 'versus' situation.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using `contra` instead of `en contra de`
Mistake: "Yo soy contra la decisión."
Correction: Yo estoy en contra de la decisión. When you're expressing your personal stance or opinion, it's more natural to say 'estoy en contra de'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Physical Contact
You can use contra to describe something leaning or pressing on something else. For example, Apoya la escalera contra la pared means 'Lean the ladder against the wall'.
Visualizing the noun form of 'contra' as a disadvantage or a 'con' being weighed against an advantage.
📝 In Action
Antes de decidir, debemos analizar los pros y los contras.
B1Before deciding, we must analyze the pros and cons.
El único contra de este plan es el costo.
B2The only drawback of this plan is the cost.
💡 Grammar Points
Almost Always Plural
When used as a noun, contra is almost always seen in its plural form, los contras, especially when talking about the 'pros and cons' of a situation.
⭐ Usage Tips
Paired with 'Pros'
Think of 'los contras' as being best friends with 'los pros'. You'll hear them together constantly in discussions and debates.
Showing a collective action of voting or positioning oneself against a measure, illustrating the adverbial use of 'contra' (as 'en contra').
📝 In Action
¿Estás a favor o en contra?
B1Are you for or against it?
Todos los miembros del comité votaron en contra.
B2All the committee members voted against.
💡 Grammar Points
Answering 'How?'
As an adverb, contra (usually as en contra) answers the question 'how?' or 'in what way?'. How did they vote? En contra (Against).
⭐ Usage Tips
Look for 'en'
When contra is acting as an adverb, you'll almost always see it paired with en right before it, forming the phrase en contra.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: contra
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'contra' to mean a disadvantage or a 'con'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between `contra`, `en contra`, and `en contra de`?
Great question! `contra` is the simple preposition: 'Argentina contra Brasil'. `en contra` is an adverbial phrase meaning 'against': 'Votaron en contra'. `en contra de` is a more complex preposition used to state an opinion against something: 'Estoy en contra de la contaminación' (I'm against pollution).