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contracción

kon-trak-SYON/kontɾakˈθjon/

contraction

Also: shortening
NounfA1
Two puzzle pieces with different colors being pushed together to form a single unit.

📝 In Action

En español, 'al' es una contracción de 'a' y 'el'.

A1

In Spanish, 'al' is a contraction of 'a' and 'el'.

No olvides usar la contracción 'del' en lugar de 'de el'.

A1

Don't forget to use the contraction 'del' instead of 'de el'.

Solo existen dos contracciones gramaticales obligatorias.

A2

There are only two mandatory grammar contractions.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • fusión (merger)

Antonyms

  • separación (separation)

Common Collocations

  • contracción gramatical – grammar contraction
  • regla de contracción – contraction rule

contraction

Also: cramp
NounfB1
A close-up of a strong arm with a flexed bicep muscle.

📝 In Action

Las contracciones de parto empezaron a las ocho.

B1

The labor contractions started at eight.

Siento una contracción fuerte en el gemelo.

B2

I feel a strong contraction (cramp) in my calf.

El corazón late gracias a una contracción rítmica.

B2

The heart beats thanks to a rhythmic contraction.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • espasmo (spasm)
  • calambre (cramp)

Antonyms

  • relajación (relaxation)
  • distensión (stretching)

Common Collocations

  • contracción muscular – muscle contraction
  • contracciones de parto – labor contractions

Idioms & Expressions

  • tener contracciones – to be in labor

contraction

Also: shrinkage
NounfB2formal
A large colorful balloon slowly deflating and becoming smaller.

📝 In Action

La economía sufrió una contracción del dos por ciento.

B2

The economy suffered a two percent contraction.

El metal experimenta una contracción con el frío.

C1

Metal undergoes a contraction with the cold.

La contracción del mercado laboral preocupa a los expertos.

C1

The contraction of the labor market worries the experts.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • reducción (reduction)
  • disminución (decrease)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • contracción económica – economic contraction
  • contracción de la demanda – contraction of demand

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "contracción" in Spanish:

contraction→cramp→shrinkage→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: contracción

Question 1 of 3

Which of these is a mandatory grammar 'contracción'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
contraer(to contract / to shrink) — Verb
contractura(muscle knot) — Noun
contráctil(capable of shrinking) — Adjective
contraído(contracted) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
acciónreaccióncanción
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin 'contractio', which literally means 'the act of drawing together' or 'pulling in'.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: contractionFrench: contractionItalian: contrazione

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does Spanish have contractions like 'don't' or 'can't'?

No. Spanish does not use apostrophes for contractions. The only official contractions are 'al' (a + el) and 'del' (de + el).

Can I use 'contracción' for a muscle cramp?

Technically yes, but if it is a sudden, sharp pain from cold or overexertion, 'calambre' is more common.

Is 'contracción' feminine or masculine?

It is feminine (la contracción). Almost all Spanish words ending in '-ción' are feminine.