The verb "competir" means to engage in a contest or rivalry with others to achieve something. In Spanish, it is often used in contexts involving sports, business, and any situation where individuals or groups vie for the same goal or objective.
"Competir" is commonly used in both oral and written contexts, but it tends to appear more frequently in spoken language, particularly in everyday conversation, sports commentary, and business discussions.
The teams will compete in the tournament this weekend.
Para poder competir efectivamente, necesitamos mejorar nuestros productos.
In order to compete effectively, we need to improve our products.
Ella siempre quiere competir con sus amigos en cada carrera.
While "competir" does not have many fixed idiomatic expressions, it is commonly used in phrases that convey the idea of rivalry or contest. Here are some examples that involve "competir":
In the final, both teams competed fiercely for the trophy.
Competir en el mismo nivel.
To compete on the same level as large companies, we need to innovate constantly.
Competir por el primer lugar.
The word "competir" comes from the Latin verb "competere," which means "to strive together, to agree, or to be suitable." This Latin term is derived from "com-" meaning "together" and "petere," which means "to seek." Thus, the term carries the connotation of striving together in a contest or rivalry.
Overall, "competir" embodies the spirit of contest and striving, playing an essential role in various facets of life, from sports to business to academia.