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How to Say "to challenge" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to challenge” is “retar” — use this when inviting someone to a friendly competition, a game, or a simple contest..

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retar

/reh-TAHR//reˈtaɾ/

verbA2informal
Use this when inviting someone to a friendly competition, a game, or a simple contest.
A knight holding a single glove, extending it toward another knight to start a duel.

Examples

Te reto a una carrera hasta la esquina.

I challenge you to a race to the corner.

El campeón retó al joven boxeador.

The champion challenged the young boxer.

Me retaron a saltar desde el trampolín más alto.

They dared me to jump from the highest diving board.

Using 'A' with People

Since you are challenging a person (the one receiving the action), you must use the 'personal a'. For example: 'Reto a Juan' (I challenge Juan).

Connecting to Actions

When you challenge someone TO do something, use the word 'a' before the second verb. Example: 'Te reto a comer esto' (I challenge you to eat this).

Missing the 'A'

Mistake: “Reto mi amigo.”

Correction: Reto a mi amigo. (Don't forget the 'personal a' when challenging a person!)

cuestionar

/kwes-tyoh-nahr//kwestjoˈnaɾ/

verbB1
Use this when you doubt or question the validity of an idea, a statement, or someone's authority.
A person standing with crossed arms looking skeptically at a large, colorful abstract painting.

Examples

No deberías cuestionar todo lo que dice tu profesor.

You shouldn't challenge everything your teacher says.

Muchos ciudadanos cuestionan las nuevas leyes de tráfico.

Many citizens are questioning the new traffic laws.

Nadie cuestionó su honestidad hasta ese momento.

Nobody doubted his honesty until that moment.

Cuestionar vs. Preguntar

Use 'preguntar' when you want to get information (like asking for the time). Use 'cuestionar' when you are challenging if something is true or right.

Using it with 'se'

When you use 'cuestionarse' (adding 'se' at the end), it means you are questioning yourself or your own beliefs.

The 'Ask' Confusion

Mistake: “Me cuestionó qué hora era.”

Correction: Me preguntó qué hora era. (Use 'preguntar' for simple requests for info; 'cuestionar' sounds like they were cross-examining your knowledge of time.)

desafiar

/deh-sah-fyahr//desafiˈaɾ/

verbB1
Use this when inviting someone to a more serious competition, a duel, or to confront a difficult task.
A child in a karate uniform pointing a finger at a wooden board, ready to strike it.

Examples

Él me desafió a una carrera de cien metros.

He challenged me to a hundred-meter race.

Los estudiantes desafiaron al profesor a resolver el acertijo.

The students challenged the teacher to solve the riddle.

No me desafíes si no estás seguro de ganar.

Don't challenge me if you aren't sure about winning.

Using the 'Personal A'

When you challenge a specific person or a group of people, you must put the little word 'a' before them. For example: 'Desafié a mi hermano'.

Stress on the 'i'

In many present-tense forms, the 'i' becomes stronger and gets an accent mark (desafío, desafías) to keep the correct sound.

Forgetting the 'A'

Mistake: “Desafié mi amigo.”

Correction: Desafié a mi amigo. (Because your friend is a person, you need the 'personal a'.)

apelar

/ah-peh-LAHR//apeˈlaɾ/

verbB2formal
Use this specifically when you are formally questioning an official decision, ruling, or sentence, often in a legal context.
A wooden gavel resting on a block with a person's hand reaching toward it in a formal setting.

Examples

El abogado decidió apelar la sentencia mañana.

The lawyer decided to appeal the sentence tomorrow.

Si no estás de acuerdo con la multa, puedes apelar.

If you don't agree with the fine, you can appeal.

Tienen derecho a apelar ante un tribunal superior.

They have the right to appeal before a higher court.

Using Apelar in Law

When talking about court cases, you can say 'apelar la decisión' (appeal the decision) directly without needing extra words in between.

Don't confuse with calling someone

Mistake: “Voy a apelar a mi hermano por teléfono.”

Correction: Voy a llamar a mi hermano por teléfono. 'Apelar' is for formal requests or legal actions, not phone calls.

recurrir

/rreh-koo-rreer//rekuˈrir/

verbC1formal
Use this when officially contesting or appealing a specific penalty, fine, or administrative decision.
A person handing a formal document to an official behind a wooden desk.

Examples

Voy a recurrir la multa de tráfico porque es injusta.

I am going to appeal the traffic fine because it's unfair.

El abogado decidió recurrir la sentencia.

The lawyer decided to appeal the sentence.

Tienen diez días para recurrir esta decisión.

They have ten days to challenge this decision.

No 'A' required here

Unlike the first meaning, when you appeal a document or a legal decision, you don't usually need the word 'a'. You appeal the thing directly.

Confusing with 'to recur'

Mistake: “El problema recurre cada mes.”

Correction: El problema se repite cada mes. (Recurrir doesn't usually mean 'to happen again' in Spanish; use 'repetirse' instead.)

toser

/toh-SEHR//toˈseɾ/

verbC1informal
Use this idiomatic expression when referring to someone daring to stand up to or confront a person in a position of power.
Two people standing side-by-side, both holding identical golden trophies to show they are equally matched.

Examples

En esta empresa, nadie se atreve a toserle al director.

In this company, nobody dares to stand up to the director.

Messi está en tal forma que nadie le puede toser.

Messi is in such good shape that nobody can touch/rival him.

Using 'Le'

In this figurative sense, we almost always use the word 'le' (to him/her) before the verb, as in 'toserle a alguien.'

Retar vs. Desafiar

Learners often confuse 'retar' and 'desafiar' for 'to challenge someone to a competition'. 'Retar' is generally for simpler, more casual challenges (like a quick race), while 'desafiar' implies a more serious contest or a greater difficulty.

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