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contradecir

kon-trah-deh-theerkontɾaðeˈθiɾ

“contradecir” means “to contradict” in Spanish (to say the opposite of what someone else said).

to contradict

Also: to conflict with, to gainsay
VerbB1irregular ir
A colorful storybook illustration showing two characters in a disagreement; one person points up while the other points down.
gerundcontradiciendo
past Participlecontradicho
infinitivecontradecir

📝 In Action

No me gusta que me contradigan en público.

B1

I don't like it when people contradict me in public.

Sus acciones contradicen sus palabras.

B1

His actions contradict his words.

Es importante no contradecirse durante el juicio.

B2

It is important not to contradict oneself during the trial.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • refutar (to refute)
  • desmentir (to deny/prove wrong)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • contradecir frontalmente – to flatly contradict
  • contradecirse a sí mismo – to contradict oneself
  • no me contradigas – don't talk back/contradict me

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yocontradijera
túcontradijeras
él/ella/ustedcontradijera
nosotroscontradijéramos
vosotroscontradijerais
ellos/ellas/ustedescontradijeran

Present Subjunctive

yocontradiga
túcontradigas
él/ella/ustedcontradiga
nosotroscontradigamos
vosotroscontradigáis
ellos/ellas/ustedescontradigan

Indicative

Preterite

yocontradije
túcontradijiste
él/ella/ustedcontradijo
nosotroscontradijimos
vosotroscontradijisteis
ellos/ellas/ustedescontradijeron

Imperfect

yocontradecía
túcontradecías
él/ella/ustedcontradecía
nosotroscontradecíamos
vosotroscontradecíais
ellos/ellas/ustedescontradecían

Present

yocontradigo
túcontradices
él/ella/ustedcontradice
nosotroscontradecimos
vosotroscontradecís
ellos/ellas/ustedescontradicen
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "contradecir" in Spanish:

to contradict→to gainsay→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: contradecir

Question 1 of 3

How do you say 'I contradict' in Spanish?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
contradicción(contradiction) — Noun
contradictorio(contradictory) — Adjective
contradicho(contradicted) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From Latin 'contradicere', which is a combination of 'contra' (against) and 'dicere' (to say). It literally means 'to say against'.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: contradictFrench: contredireItalian: contraddire

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'contradiré' or 'contradeciré' the correct future form?

Both are actually recognized, but 'contradeciré' is the modern standard and much more common for learners to use.

Does it always follow the conjugation of 'decir'?

Almost! The main differences are in the future tense and the singular command (tú), where it is a bit more regular than 'decir'.

What is the difference between 'contradecir' and 'refutar'?

'Contradecir' simply means saying the opposite, while 'refutar' implies providing proof or arguments to show why the other person is wrong.