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optar

op-TAR/opˈtaɾ/

“optar” means “to opt for” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to opt for

Also: to choose
VerbB1regular ar
A child standing in front of two ice cream cones, one strawberry and one chocolate, pointing at the chocolate one.
gerundoptando
past Participleoptado
infinitiveoptar

📝 In Action

Ante la duda, opté por decir la verdad.

B1

Faced with doubt, I opted to tell the truth.

Muchos estudiantes optan por estudiar en el extranjero.

B1

Many students choose to study abroad.

Si no quieres carne, puedes optar por el menú vegetariano.

A2

If you don't want meat, you can opt for the vegetarian menu.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • elegir (to choose)
  • decidirse (to decide)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • optar por el silencio – to choose to remain silent
  • optar por el camino difícil – to choose the hard path

to apply for

Also: to be a candidate for
VerbB2regular arformal
A person in a suit handing a paper folder to another person across a desk.
gerundoptando
past Participleoptado
infinitiveoptar

📝 In Action

Cien personas optan al mismo puesto de trabajo.

B2

One hundred people are applying for the same job position.

¿Quiénes optan al premio Nobel este año?

C1

Who are the candidates for the Nobel Prize this year?

Para optar a la beca, debes tener buenas notas.

B2

To be eligible for the scholarship, you must have good grades.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • aspirar (to aspire to)
  • postularse (to apply/run for)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • optar a una plaza – to apply for a job opening
  • optar a la presidencia – to run for presidency

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesoptaran
yooptara
túoptaras
vosotrosoptarais
nosotrosoptáramos
él/ella/ustedoptara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesopten
yoopte
túoptes
vosotrosoptéis
nosotrosoptemos
él/ella/ustedopte

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesoptaron
yoopté
túoptaste
vosotrosoptasteis
nosotrosoptamos
él/ella/ustedoptó

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesoptaban
yooptaba
túoptabas
vosotrosoptabais
nosotrosoptábamos
él/ella/ustedoptaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesoptan
yoopto
túoptas
vosotrosoptáis
nosotrosoptamos
él/ella/ustedopta
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "optar" in Spanish:

to choose→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: optar

Question 1 of 3

Which preposition should you use if you are choosing the blue shirt instead of the red one?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
opción(option) — Noun
optativo(optional) — Adjective
optante(person choosing) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin verb 'optare', which means to choose or to desire. It is closely related to the word 'option' in English.

First recorded: 15th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: optFrench: opterPortuguese: optar

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'optar' a regular verb?

Yes! It follows the standard pattern for verbs ending in -ar in all tenses.

What is the difference between 'escoger' and 'optar'?

They both mean to choose, but 'optar' usually requires a preposition (por/a) and is slightly more formal. 'Escoger' is more common for daily choices like picking an apple.

Can I use 'optar' without 'por' or 'a'?

Generally, no. In Spanish, this verb needs one of those two small words to connect to the thing you are choosing or aiming for.