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verb

retar

challenge

Es invitar a alguien a demostrar su habilidad o valentía, a veces como prueba o competencia, y también puede usarse para reprender a una persona por su conducta.

Definition & meaning

  • To challenge: To invite someone to a fight, competition, or contest of skill. It often implies standing up against an opponent or testing someone's capabilities.
  • To reprimand or scold: In many Spanish-speaking regions (particularly in Latin America), it means to lecture or rebuke someone, usually a child or subordinate, for having done something wrong.
  • To provoke: To incite someone to do something, often something difficult or risky, by questioning their courage or ability.

Grammar & Word origin

  • Grammar: It is a regular transitive verb ending in "-ar".
  • Origin: The word comes from the Medieval Latin retare, which is a derivative of reputare (to count, to reckon, or to hold accountable). Over time, the meaning evolved from holding someone accountable to challenging them or calling them out.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

  • Desafiar (To challenge)
  • Provocar (To provoke)
  • Reñir (To scold/reprimand)
  • Regañar (To scold/reprimand)
  • Incitar (To incite)

Antonyms:

  • Aceptar (To accept, as in accepting a challenge)
  • Alabar (To praise, as the opposite of scolding)
  • Felicitar (To congratulate)

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Examples

Voy a retarte a un juego de ajedrez.verb

I am going to challenge you to a game of chess.

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