vencer
/ven-SER/
defeat
In sports, if you are successful, you vencer (defeat) your opponent.
vencer(verb)
defeat
?sports, competition
,overcome
?difficulties, fear
beat
?in a game
,conquer
?a challenge
📝 In Action
El equipo logró vencer a su rival en la final.
A2The team managed to defeat their rival in the final.
Debemos vencer el miedo para alcanzar nuestros sueños.
B1We must overcome fear to achieve our dreams.
Ella ha vencido muchos obstáculos en su vida.
B2She has overcome many obstacles in her life.
💡 Grammar Points
Spelling Change for Sound
In forms where the 'c' meets an 'a' or 'o' (like 'yo' present, or all present subjunctive forms), the 'c' changes to 'z' (venzo, venza) to keep the 'th' or 's' sound consistent, rather than a hard 'k' sound.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Missing the 'z' change
Mistake: "Using 'venco' instead of 'venzo' for the 'yo' form."
Correction: Always remember the 'c' changes to 'z' before 'o' and 'a' to maintain the correct pronunciation: 'Yo venzo' (I defeat).
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal vs. Sports
While 'vencer' means 'to defeat' in sports, 'ganar' (to win) is much more common. Use 'vencer' when talking about defeating a strong opponent or overcoming a serious challenge.
When a product or food reaches its limit, it can vencer (expire).
vencer(verb)
expire
?a deadline, contract, or food date
,be due
?a payment or bill
run out
?time limit
,mature
?financial term for bonds/loans
📝 In Action
La fecha límite para entregar el informe vence mañana.
B1The deadline for submitting the report expires tomorrow (is due tomorrow).
Mi pasaporte venció el mes pasado, necesito renovarlo.
B2My passport expired last month; I need to renew it.
El contrato vence en diciembre.
B1The contract runs out in December.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'Vencer' for Dates
In this sense, 'vencer' is often used impersonally, meaning the date or document itself is the subject doing the expiring: 'El plazo vence' (The deadline expires).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Vencer' and 'Terminar'
Mistake: "Using 'terminar' for an expiration date, like 'El pasaporte terminó'."
Correction: 'Terminar' means something simply finished. 'Vencer' specifically means a validity period or deadline has run out due to a predetermined date: 'El pasaporte venció'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Past Participle as Adjective
The past participle 'vencido' is often used as an adjective meaning 'expired' or 'overdue' (e.g., 'documento vencido').
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: vencer
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'vencer' in the sense of 'expiring'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'vencer' always used when someone wins a game?
Not usually. While 'vencer' means 'to defeat,' Spanish speakers more commonly use 'ganar' (to win) when talking about simple victory in games or competitions. 'Vencer' is often reserved for defeating a strong opponent or conquering a difficult challenge or obstacle.
How do I know if 'vencer' means 'defeat' or 'expire'?
Look at the subject of the sentence. If the subject is a person, team, or abstract difficulty (fear, sadness), it means 'defeat' or 'overcome'. If the subject is a document, deadline, or date (pasaporte, plazo, contrato), it means 'expire' or 'be due'.