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ratificar

ra-tee-fee-CARratifiˈkaɾ

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

to ratify

Also: to approve formally
VerbB2regular with spelling change arformal
A formal document with a large golden seal and a red ribbon on a wooden desk.
gerundratificando
past Participleratificado
infinitiveratificar

📝 In Action

El senado debe ratificar el tratado de paz mañana.

B2

The senate must ratify the peace treaty tomorrow.

Los países ratificaron el acuerdo sobre el cambio climático.

C1

The countries ratified the agreement on climate change.

Es necesario que todos los socios ratifiquen el contrato.

B2

It is necessary for all partners to formally approve the contract.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • anular (to annul/cancel)
  • invalidar (to invalidate)

Common Collocations

  • ratificar un tratado – to ratify a treaty
  • ratificar un acuerdo – to ratify an agreement

to uphold

Also: to stand by
VerbB1regular with spelling change ar
A wooden gavel resting firmly on its sound block.

📝 In Action

El testigo ratificó su declaración ante el juez.

B1

The witness stood by his statement before the judge.

El tribunal ratificó la sentencia original.

B2

The court upheld the original sentence.

Me ratifico en lo que dije ayer.

C1

I stand by what I said yesterday.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • ratificar la sentencia – to uphold the sentence
  • ratificarse en su opinión – to stand by one's opinion

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yoratificara
túratificaras
él/ella/ustedratificara
nosotrosratificáramos
vosotrosratificarais
ellos/ellas/ustedesratificaran

Present Subjunctive

yoratifique
túratifiques
él/ella/ustedratifique
nosotrosratifiquemos
vosotrosratifiquéis
ellos/ellas/ustedesratifiquen

Indicative

Preterite

yoratifiqué
túratificaste
él/ella/ustedratificó
nosotrosratificamos
vosotrosratificasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesratificaron

Imperfect

yoratificaba
túratificabas
él/ella/ustedratificaba
nosotrosratificábamos
vosotrosratificabais
ellos/ellas/ustedesratificaban

Present

yoratifico
túratificas
él/ella/ustedratifica
nosotrosratificamos
vosotrosratificáis
ellos/ellas/ustedesratifican
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "ratificar" in Spanish:

to ratify→to uphold→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: ratificar

Question 1 of 3

Which is the correct 'yo' form for 'ratificar' in the past (preterite)?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
ratificación(ratification) — Noun
ratificado(ratified) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin 'ratificare', which comes from 'ratus' (fixed or settled) and 'facere' (to make). Essentially, it means 'to make something settled'.

First recorded: 15th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: ratifyFrench: ratifier

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'ratificar' the same as 'firmar' (to sign)?

Not exactly. While you might sign a document to ratify it, 'ratificar' refers to the legal act of making it valid, whereas 'firmar' is just the physical act of writing your name.

Can I use 'ratificar' for my daily plans?

It's best not to. It sounds very stiff and robotic in casual conversation. Use 'confirmar' for everyday things.

Why does the spelling change to 'qu'?