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opositor

oh-poh-see-tohr/opoˈsitoɾ/

public exam candidate

Also: examinee
NounmB1
Spain
A person sitting at a wooden desk piled high with books, focused on studying with a single lamp lighting the room.

📝 In Action

El opositor estudia diez horas al día para conseguir la plaza.

B1

The exam candidate studies ten hours a day to get the position.

Hay miles de opositores para solo cincuenta puestos de bombero.

B1

There are thousands of candidates for only fifty firefighter positions.

Mi hermano es opositor y no tiene tiempo para salir.

A2

My brother is a public exam candidate and doesn't have time to go out.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • examinador (examiner)

Common Collocations

  • academia para opositores – preparatory school for exam candidates
  • plaza para opositores – job opening for exam candidates

opponent

Also: adversary, dissenter
NounmB2
Two people standing on opposite sides of a line, facing each other with crossed arms to show disagreement.

📝 In Action

Es un fuerte opositor a la nueva ley de transporte.

B2

He is a strong opponent of the new transport law.

Los opositores al régimen fueron arrestados.

C1

The opponents of the regime were arrested.

El principal opositor del alcalde criticó su discurso.

B2

The mayor's main opponent criticized his speech.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • líder opositor – opposition leader
  • opositor político – political opponent

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "opositor" in Spanish:

adversary→dissenter→examinee→opponent→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: opositor

Question 1 of 3

If someone is studying for 8 hours a day to become a state teacher in Spain, they are a/an...

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
oponer(to oppose) — Verb
oposición(opposition / public exam) — Noun
opuesto(opposite) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin 'oppositor,' which means 'someone who argues against.' It comes from the verb 'opponere,' the same root that gave us the English word 'opposite.'

First recorded: 15th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: oppositor (archaic)French: opposant

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'opositor' and 'candidato'?

A 'candidato' is anyone applying for a job. An 'opositor' is someone specifically going through the difficult, government-regulated 'oposición' exam process.

Can I use 'opositor' for an enemy?

Not really. 'Opositor' implies a difference in opinion or a competition for a role. 'Enemigo' is much more personal and aggressive.

Is an 'opositor' always a student?

Usually, yes. They spend most of their time studying, but technically they are 'candidates' for a career.