el certamen
contest · competition
Definition & meaning
Certamen is a masculine noun meaning a contest, competition, or organized event in which people or works are judged. It often refers to formal cultural, artistic, or literary competitions, but it can also describe other kinds of contests.
Grammar & word origin
- Gender: masculine — el certamen
- Plural: certámenes
- It comes from Latin certāmen, meaning “contest” or “struggle,” from certāre, “to compete” or “to contend.”
Synonyms & antonyms
Possible synonyms include:
- concurso — a general competition, often with a prize; the most common everyday alternative.
- competición — a competition, especially one involving sports or direct rivalry.
- torneo — usually a structured series of matches or rounds.
- competencia — can mean competition or rivalry; its use varies by region.
There is no exact antonym for certamen. The word names an event rather than a quality or state with a natural opposite.
Common phrases & collocations
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Examples
El certamen es mañana en la escuela.noun
The contest is tomorrow at the school.
Muchos estudiantes se prepararon durante semanas para los certámenes de este año.noun
Many students prepared for weeks for this year's competitions.
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