Inklingo
Dictionary

descifrar

des-see-FRARdesiˈfɾaɾ

“descifrar” means “to decipher” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to decipherB1Verb

reading a code or secret message

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to figure outB2Verb

understanding something complex or unclear

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to decipherAlso: to decode

VerbB1regular ar
A detective looking at a mysterious scroll with symbols and a magnifying glass.
gerunddescifrando
past Participledescifrado
infinitivedescifrar

📝 In Action

Los arqueólogos lograron descifrar los jeroglíficos antiguos.

B1

The archaeologists managed to decipher the ancient hieroglyphs.

Ella descifró el mensaje secreto en pocos minutos.

A2

She decoded the secret message in a few minutes.

Nadie ha podido descifrar este código informático todavía.

B2

No one has been able to decipher this computer code yet.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • decodificar (to decode)

Antonyms

  • cifrar (to encrypt/encode)
  • encriptar (to encrypt)

Common Collocations

  • descifrar un código – to decipher a code
  • descifrar un mensaje – to decipher a message

to figure outAlso: to make out, to unravel

VerbB2regular ar
A person successfully fitting the final piece into a large, complex jigsaw puzzle.
gerunddescifrando
past Participledescifrado
infinitivedescifrar

📝 In Action

No puedo descifrar la letra del médico.

A2

I can't make out the doctor's handwriting.

Intentamos descifrar por qué se comportaba de esa manera.

B2

We tried to figure out why he was behaving that way.

Es difícil descifrar sus verdaderas intenciones.

C1

It is hard to figure out her true intentions.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • desentrañar (to unravel/solve)
  • interpretar (to interpret)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • descifrar un enigma – to solve a riddle/enigma
  • descifrar la letra – to read/make out handwriting

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yodescifrara
túdescifraras
él/ella/usteddescifrara
nosotrosdescifráramos
vosotrosdescifrarais
ellos/ellas/ustedesdescifraran

Present Subjunctive

yodescifre
túdescifres
él/ella/usteddescifre
nosotrosdescifremos
vosotrosdescifréis
ellos/ellas/ustedesdescifren

Indicative

Preterite

yodescifré
túdescifraste
él/ella/usteddescifró
nosotrosdesciframos
vosotrosdescifrasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesdescifraron

Imperfect

yodescifraba
túdescifrabas
él/ella/usteddescifraba
nosotrosdescifrábamos
vosotrosdescifrabais
ellos/ellas/ustedesdescifraban

Present

yodescifro
túdescifras
él/ella/usteddescifra
nosotrosdesciframos
vosotrosdescifráis
ellos/ellas/ustedesdescifran
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Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "descifrar" in Spanish:

to decipherto decodeto unravel

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: descifrar

Question 1 of 3

If you can't read your friend's messy handwriting, you are trying to...

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
cifra(digit/number) — Noun
cifrado(encrypted) — Adjective
desciframiento(deciphering) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes
mirarentrar
📚 Etymology

From the prefix 'de-' (meaning to undo) and the word 'cifra' (digit/number). It originally referred to turning numbers back into readable text.

First recorded: 16th century

Cognates (Related words)

French: déchiffrerEnglish: decipher

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'descifrar' only for secret agents?

Not at all! While it can mean decoding secret messages, we use it every day for things like reading messy handwriting or trying to understand a complicated person.

Can I use 'descifrar' for computer passwords?

Yes, if you are trying to 'crack' or figure out a password, descifrar is the perfect word.

How is it different from 'entender'?

Entender is general 'understanding.' Descifrar implies there was a challenge, a secret, or a mess that you had to work through first.