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enfrentar

en-fren-TAR/em.fɾenˈtaɾ/

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

to face, to confront

Also: to tackle
VerbA2regular ar
A small, brave person stands at the base of a massive, steep hill or symbolic obstacle, looking up determinedly to signify facing a challenge.
infinitiveenfrentar
gerundenfrentando
past Participleenfrentado

📝 In Action

Tenemos que enfrentar la realidad, no podemos ignorarla.

A2

We have to face reality; we can't ignore it.

El presidente enfrentó muchas críticas por su nueva ley.

B1

The president confronted a lot of criticism for his new law.

Ella enfrenta sus miedos con valentía.

A2

She faces her fears with courage.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • enfrentar un desafío – to face a challenge
  • enfrentar la verdad – to face the truth

to face off, to clash

Also: to confront each other
VerbB1pronominal (reflexive) ar
Two distinct figures, perhaps animals or stylized competitors, stand symmetrically, looking directly into each other's eyes across a dividing line, symbolizing a face-off.
infinitiveenfrentarse
gerundenfrentándose
past Participleenfrentado

📝 In Action

Los dos equipos se enfrentarán en la final mañana.

B1

The two teams will face off in the final tomorrow.

Ellos se enfrentaron por el control de la empresa.

B2

They clashed over the control of the company.

Marta se enfrentó a su jefe sobre el horario.

B1

Marta confronted her boss about the schedule.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • oponerse (to oppose)
  • chocar (to clash)

Antonyms

  • aliarse (to ally)

Common Collocations

  • enfrentarse a un rival – to face a rival
  • enfrentarse con alguien – to confront someone

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedenfrenta
yoenfrento
túenfrentas
ellos/ellas/ustedesenfrentan
nosotrosenfrentamos
vosotrosenfrentáis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedenfrentaba
yoenfrentaba
túenfrentabas
ellos/ellas/ustedesenfrentaban
nosotrosenfrentábamos
vosotrosenfrentabais

preterite

él/ella/ustedenfrentó
yoenfrenté
túenfrentaste
ellos/ellas/ustedesenfrentaron
nosotrosenfrentamos
vosotrosenfrentasteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedenfrente
yoenfrente
túenfrentes
ellos/ellas/ustedesenfrenten
nosotrosenfrentemos
vosotrosenfrentéis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedenfrentara
yoenfrentara
túenfrentaras
ellos/ellas/ustedesenfrentaran
nosotrosenfrentáramos
vosotrosenfrentarais
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "enfrentar" in Spanish:

to clash→to confront→to face→to tackle→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: enfrentar

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses the transitive form of 'enfrentar' (Definition 1)?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the prefix 'en-' (meaning 'in' or 'into') combined with 'frente' (meaning 'front' or 'forehead'). It literally means 'to put face to face' or 'to put in front of.'

First recorded: Medieval Spanish

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: enfrentarFrench: affronter

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'enfrentar' and 'enfrentarse'?

'Enfrentar' (without the 'se') means *you* face a problem or situation. 'Enfrentarse' (with 'se') means two things are facing *each other* (like teams in a game), or that you are initiating a confrontation *with* someone (often followed by 'a' or 'con').

Is 'enfrentar' a difficult verb to conjugate?

No, 'enfrentar' is a regular -ar verb, meaning its endings follow the standard, predictable pattern. If you know how to conjugate 'hablar,' you know how to conjugate 'enfrentar'!