Spanish word

certamen

Pronunciation

IPA/θeɾˈtamen/

Meaning

  • masculine nouncontest

Example

Mi hermana ganó el certamen de piano.

My sister won the piano contest.

Illustration for certamen (contest)

More examples

¿Vas a participar en el certamen de poesía?

Are you going to participate in the poetry contest?

Core concept

A formal judged contest for works or performances.

Common phrases

  • ganar el certamen

    win the contest

  • participar en el certamen

    participate in the contest

  • premio del certamen

    contest prize

Similar words

concurso: Open contest that solicits entries and selects winners by evaluation or public vote.
competición: Rule-bound contest where participants compete directly and a winner is determined.
torneo: Series of matches or rounds organized so winners advance toward a final champion.

Definition in Spanish

Evento competitivo y organizado en el que participantes presentan obras o actuaciones y un jurado otorga premios o reconocimientos.

Word origin

Comes from Latin certamen 'contest' (from certare 'to contend') and enters Spanish via medieval Romance to name organized prize competitions.

Usage tips

  • Certamen has a formal tone and commonly refers to literary, musical, or academic contests, while concurso is more likely in everyday speech.

Other meanings

  • competitionnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word