Verb
/kɔŋˈkistaɾ/
The verb "conquistar" means to win or gain control over something, whether in a literal or figurative sense. In the general context, it is often used to refer to winning someone's affection or admiration. In military terms, it can refer to the act of taking control of a territory or overcoming an adversary in conflict.
It is a commonly used verb in both oral and written contexts, though it may appear slightly more in written forms when discussing historical conquests or in romantic contexts.
"Los romanos intentaron conquistar nuevas tierras."
"The Romans tried to conquer new lands."
"Ella logró conquistar el corazón de su mejor amigo."
"She managed to win over the heart of her best friend."
"Es un desafío conquistar a un público tan diverso."
"It is a challenge to win over such a diverse audience."
"Conquistar" is frequently part of idiomatic expressions in Spanish, particularly those related to love, victory, or charm. Some notable expressions include:
"Conquistar el mundo es el sueño de muchos."
"To conquer the world is the dream of many."
"Conquistar a alguien con palabras puede ser más efectivo que con acciones."
"Winning someone over with words can be more effective than with actions."
"Ella tiene la capacidad de conquistar a cualquiera con su sonrisa."
"She has the ability to win over anyone with her smile."
"A veces es más fácil conquistar un corazón que conquistar una meta."
"Sometimes it’s easier to win a heart than to achieve a goal."
"Conquistar la cima de la montaña fue un verdadero reto."
"Conquering the peak of the mountain was a real challenge."
"Conquistar la mente de un niño requiere paciencia y creatividad."
"Winning over a child's mind requires patience and creativity."
The verb "conquistar" comes from the Latin word "conquaerere," which means "to seek or gain completely." The root components are "con-" meaning "together" or "with," and "quaerere," meaning "to seek." Over time, it evolved into its current form in the Spanish language.