Inklingo

How to Say "opposing" in Spanish

English → Spanish

enemigo

/e-ne-MÍ-go//e.neˈmi.ɣo/

adjectiveB1general
Use 'enemigo' when describing forces, groups, or territories that are actively hostile or in conflict, like an enemy nation or enemy territory.
A simple storybook illustration of a black cat with its back arched and fur standing up, hissing aggressively.

Examples

Cruzamos la línea a territorio enemigo con mucho cuidado.

We crossed the line into hostile territory very carefully.

Las fuerzas enemigas atacaron al amanecer.

The opposing forces attacked at dawn.

El presidente se mostró enemigo a cualquier tipo de reforma.

The president showed himself opposed to any kind of reform.

Matching the Noun

As an adjective, 'enemigo' must match the gender and number of the noun it describes. For example, 'fuerzas' (forces) is feminine plural, so you say 'fuerzas enemigas'.

Using the Singular

Mistake: “Llegaron los barcos enemigo.”

Correction: Llegaron los barcos enemigos. (Since 'barcos' is plural, the adjective must also be plural.)

oponente

/oh-poh-NEN-teh//opoˈnente/

adjectiveB2general
Use 'oponente' to describe something that is in direct opposition or confrontation to something else, emphasizing the state of being against.
Two different colored teams of ants pulling a single leaf in opposite directions.

Examples

Existen fuerzas oponentes en este conflicto.

There are opposing forces in this conflict.

El pulgar tiene un músculo oponente que nos permite agarrar cosas.

The thumb has an opponent muscle that allows us to grab things.

Describing things

When using this as a describing word (adjective), it must match the number of what you are describing. Use 'oponente' for one thing and 'oponentes' for multiple things.

rival

ree-VAHL/riˈβal/

adjectiveB1general
Choose 'rival' when describing entities, products, or people that are competing against each other, often in a commercial or sports context.
Two teams of cartoon figures pulling hard on a rope in a tug-of-war contest, demonstrating a competing or rival relationship.

Examples

La empresa lanzó un producto rival para capturar ese mercado.

The company launched a rival product to capture that market.

Tuvimos que analizar la estrategia rival antes del debate.

We had to analyze the opposing strategy before the debate.

Las fuerzas rivales se enfrentaron en la frontera.

The rival forces faced each other at the border.

Always Invariable

As an adjective, 'rival' is one of those helpful words that never changes its ending—not for male/female nouns, and not even for plurals! It's always 'rival' (singular) or 'rivales' (plural).

Incorrect Gender Agreement

Mistake: “Saying 'una estrategia rivala'.”

Correction: The correct form is 'una estrategia rival'. Since 'rival' ends in 'l', it is an adjective that stays the same regardless of the noun's gender.

Enemigo vs. Oponente

Learners often confuse 'enemigo' and 'oponente'. Remember, 'enemigo' implies active hostility or being an actual enemy, while 'oponente' simply means something is in opposition or against something else, not necessarily with malice.

Related Translations

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