protesto

/pro-TESS-toh/

I protest

A person holding up a blank sign with a determined expression, surrounded by a small group of people.

A person holding a sign to express their disagreement, illustrating the verb 'protesto' (I protest).

protesto(verb)

B1regular ar

I protest

Expressing disagreement

Also:

I object

Expressing formal opposition

I complain

Expressing dissatisfaction

📝 In Action

Yo protesto por el mal servicio del restaurante.

I protest because of the bad service at the restaurant.

¡Protesto! Esa no es la verdad.

I object! That is not the truth.

Word Connections

Synonyms

reclamar (to claim/complain)
quejarse (to complain)

Antonyms

aceptar (to accept)
conformarse (to resign oneself)

Common Collocations

protesto formal – formal protest

💡 Grammar Points

Using 'Protesto' to say 'I'

This word is a specific form of the verb 'protestar'. When you see 'protesto', it always means that the person speaking is the one doing the protesting.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Protesto vs. Protesta

Mistake: "Using 'el protesto' to mean a street march."

Correction: Use 'la protesta' for a general protest or rally. 'Protesto' is usually the action 'I protest' or a specific legal document.

⭐ Usage Tips

Expressing 'Against'

Use 'protesto por' or 'protesto contra' to explain exactly what you are disagreeing with.

A fountain pen resting on an official-looking document with a large golden wax seal.

A formal document with a seal representing the legal or banking 'protesto' (notarial protest).

protesto(noun)

mC1

notarial protest

banking and law

Also:

certificate of dishonor

legal document for non-payment

📝 In Action

El banco inició el protesto de la letra de cambio.

The bank initiated the protest of the bill of exchange.

Word Connections

Synonyms

requerimiento (formal demand)

Common Collocations

letra de cambio – bill of exchange
bajo protesto – under protest (paying while disagreeing)

💡 Grammar Points

Masculine Noun

In this legal sense, the word is masculine ('el protesto').

⭐ Usage Tips

Expert Tip

Unless you are a lawyer or working in a Spanish bank, you will likely only use this word in its verb form ('I protest').

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesprotestaran

yoprotestara

túprotestaras

vosotrosprotestarais

nosotrosprotestáramos

él/ella/ustedprotestara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesprotesten

yoproteste

túprotestes

vosotrosprotestéis

nosotrosprotestemos

él/ella/ustedproteste

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesprotestaron

yoprotesté

túprotestaste

vosotrosprotestasteis

nosotrosprotestamos

él/ella/ustedprotestó

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesprotestaban

yoprotestaba

túprotestabas

vosotrosprotestabais

nosotrosprotestábamos

él/ella/ustedprotestaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesprotestan

yoprotesto

túprotestas

vosotrosprotestáis

nosotrosprotestamos

él/ella/ustedprotesta

View All Tenses & Moods →

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: protesto

Question 1 of 2

If you are at a restaurant and say 'Yo protesto', what are you doing?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

protestar(to protest) - verb

protesta(protest/rally) - noun

protestante(Protestant) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'protesto' and 'protesta'?

'Protesto' is usually the verb form (I protest) or a technical legal term. 'Protesta' is the common noun for a protest, strike, or rally.

Is 'protesto' formal?

As a verb, it is neutral and used in everyday life. As a noun, it is very formal and restricted to law and banking.