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protesto

pro-TESS-toh/pɾoˈtesto/

“protesto” means “I protest” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

I protest

Also: I object, I complain
VerbB1regular ar
A person holding up a blank sign with a determined expression, surrounded by a small group of people.
gerundprotestando
past Participleprotestado
infinitiveprotestar

📝 In Action

Yo protesto por el mal servicio del restaurante.

B1

I protest because of the bad service at the restaurant.

¡Protesto! Esa no es la verdad.

B1

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

notarial protest

Also: certificate of dishonor
NounmC1formal
A fountain pen resting on an official-looking document with a large golden wax seal.

📝 In Action

El banco inició el protesto de la letra de cambio.

C1

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)

🔄 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 →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "protesto" in Spanish:

i complain→i object→i protest→notarial protest→

✏️ 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
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the Latin word 'protestari', which means to declare or witness something out in the open. It combines 'pro' (forth/publicly) and 'testari' (to be a witness).

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: protestFrench: protester

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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.