cortejar
“cortejar” means “to court” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
to court
Also: to woo, to romance
📝 In Action
El caballero intentó cortejar a la dama con flores y poemas.
B1The gentleman tried to court the lady with flowers and poems.
Lleva meses cortejándola, pero ella aún no se decide.
B2He has been wooing her for months, but she still hasn't decided.
En el siglo XIX, los hombres tenían que cortejar formalmente a sus futuras esposas.
C1In the 19th century, men had to formally court their future wives.
to seek favor
Also: to court
📝 In Action
Los políticos intentan cortejar a los votantes jóvenes.
B2Politicians try to court young voters.
La empresa está cortejando a nuevos inversores extranjeros.
C1The company is seeking favor with new foreign investors.
Al conducir tan rápido, estás cortejando el peligro.
C2By driving so fast, you are courting danger.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: cortejar
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence uses 'cortejar' in a romantic way?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Derived from 'corte' (court), referring to the refined and polite behavior practiced in royal courts to win favor or affection.
First recorded: 17th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'cortejar' only for men courting women?
Traditionally it was used that way, but today it can be used for anyone pursuing a romantic relationship or even for organizations seeking favor.
What is the difference between 'cortejar' and 'ligar'?
'Cortejar' is formal, serious, and implies a long-term goal of a relationship. 'Ligar' is casual, informal, and often refers to flirting or a one-time encounter.
Can I use 'cortejar' for animals?
Yes! In biology, you can use it to describe animals performing mating rituals.