Inklingo
Dictionary

interponer

in-ter-po-NERinteɾpoˈneɾ

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

to fileC1Verb

a lawsuit or appeal

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to place betweenB2Verb

putting an object or barrier in the middle of two things

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to fileAlso: to lodge, to submit

VerbC1irregular erformal
A wooden gavel resting on top of a formal blue folder on a desk.
gerundinterponiendo
past Participleinterpuesto
infinitiveinterponer

📝 In Action

Decidieron interponer una demanda contra la empresa.

B2

They decided to file a lawsuit against the company.

El abogado va a interponer un recurso de apelación mañana.

C1

The lawyer is going to lodge an appeal tomorrow.

Es necesario interponer la queja ante el organismo correspondiente.

C1

It is necessary to submit the complaint to the relevant body.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • interponer una demanda – to file a lawsuit
  • interponer un recurso – to lodge an appeal
  • interponer una querella – to file a criminal complaint

to place betweenAlso: to interpose

VerbB2irregular er
A tall wooden fence being placed between a small green house and a small yellow house.
gerundinterponiendo
past Participleinterpuesto
infinitiveinterponer

📝 In Action

No debes interponer obstáculos en el camino.

B1

You shouldn't place obstacles in the way.

Interpuso su mano para evitar que la puerta se cerrara.

B2

He put his hand in the middle to prevent the door from closing.

Se interpuso entre los dos peleadores para detener la riña.

B2

He stepped in between the two fighters to stop the brawl.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • mediar (to mediate/intervene)
  • atravesar (to cross/place across)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • interponerse en el camino – to get in the way

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yointerpusiera
túinterpusieras
él/ella/ustedinterpusiera
nosotrosinterpusiéramos
vosotrosinterpusierais
ellos/ellas/ustedesinterpusieran

Present Subjunctive

yointerponga
túinterpongas
él/ella/ustedinterponga
nosotrosinterpongamos
vosotrosinterpongáis
ellos/ellas/ustedesinterpongan

Indicative

Preterite

yointerpuse
túinterpusiste
él/ella/ustedinterpuso
nosotrosinterpusimos
vosotrosinterpusisteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesinterpusieron

Imperfect

yointerponía
túinterponías
él/ella/ustedinterponía
nosotrosinterponíamos
vosotrosinterponíais
ellos/ellas/ustedesinterponían

Present

yointerpongo
túinterpones
él/ella/ustedinterpone
nosotrosinterponemos
vosotrosinterponéis
ellos/ellas/ustedesinterponen
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Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "interponer" in Spanish:

to fileto interposeto lodgeto submit

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: interponer

Question 1 of 3

Which of these is the correct 'I filed' (past tense) in Spanish?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
interposición(intervention/filing) — Noun
interpuesto(interposed/filed) — Adjective
poner(to put) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes
conocerleer
📚 Etymology

From Latin 'inter' (between) and 'ponere' (to put). Literally 'to put between.'

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: interposeFrench: interposer

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'interponer' always irregular?

Yes, it follows the verb 'poner' exactly. If 'poner' changes in a certain tense (like 'pongo' or 'puse'), 'interponer' will change the same way.

Can I use 'interponer' to mean 'put' a book on a table?

No, that would sound very strange. Use 'poner' for simple placement. Use 'interponer' only for placing something *between* two other things or for filing legal papers.

What is the difference between 'presentar' and 'interponer'?

'Presentar' is more general (to present/show). 'Interponer' is more technical and specific to legal documents like appeals or lawsuits.