testificar
/tes-tee-fee-CAR/
to testify
Testificar (to testify) is commonly used when giving evidence or sworn statements in court.
testificar(verb)
to testify
?give evidence in court
,to give evidence
?legal proceedings
to depose
?legal/formal
📝 In Action
El testigo se negó a testificar sin la presencia de su abogado.
B1The witness refused to testify without the presence of his lawyer.
¿Puedes testificar que viste el accidente?
B2Can you testify that you saw the accident?
La policía le pidió que testificara sobre lo ocurrido.
B1The police asked him to give evidence about what happened.
💡 Grammar Points
The C to QU Spelling Rule
Even though 'testificar' is a regular verb, you must change the 'c' to 'qu' whenever it is followed by an 'e' (like in 'yo testifiqué' or 'que él testifique'). This change keeps the hard 'k' sound consistent.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the Spelling Change
Mistake: "Yo testicé (instead of testifiqué)"
Correction: The correct preterite (past tense) is 'yo testifiqué'. Remember the 'qu' to keep the sound correct.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Contexts
Reserve 'testificar' mainly for formal situations, especially legal ones. If you just mean 'to say' or 'to confirm' something casual, use 'decir' or 'confirmar'.
Testificar can also mean to bear witness or confirm the truth or existence of something.
testificar(verb)
to bear witness
?confirm truth/existence
,to attest to
?confirm something abstract
to prove
?show evidence of
📝 In Action
Los antiguos documentos testifican la existencia de un templo perdido.
B2The ancient documents bear witness to the existence of a lost temple.
Su larga y exitosa carrera testifica su dedicación al arte.
C1His long and successful career attests to his dedication to art.
El milagro testificó la fe de la comunidad.
B2The miracle bore witness to the community's faith.
💡 Grammar Points
Using Things as Subjects
When using 'testificar' in this sense, the subject is often an object or concept (e.g., 'documents,' 'actions,' 'history') rather than a person. This is common in formal writing.
⭐ Usage Tips
Figurative Language
This meaning is often used figuratively, treating non-living things as if they can speak or confirm facts. Think of it as 'showing undeniable proof.'
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: testificar
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'testificar' in its formal, legal sense?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
¿Cuál es la diferencia entre 'testificar' y 'declarar'?
Both words can mean 'to state something formally.' However, 'testificar' almost always implies giving evidence based on personal knowledge or experience (like a witness). 'Declarar' is broader; it can mean to make any formal statement, like declaring income or declaring independence.
Does 'testificar' require a preposition afterward?
Often, yes. If you are testifying about a person, you use 'contra' (against) or 'a favor de' (in favor of). If you are testifying about an event or truth, you often use 'sobre' (about) or 'de' (of/about).