Spanish word

comparecer

Pronunciation

IPA/kompaɾeˈθeɾ/

Meaning

  • verbappear in court

Example

Mañana tengo que comparecer ante el tribunal.

Tomorrow I have to appear in court.

Illustration for comparecer (appear in court)

More examples

El testigo debe comparecer a declarar mañana.

The witness must appear to testify tomorrow.

Core concept

Person responding to an official summons at a hearing.

Common phrases

  • comparecer a declarar

    appear to testify

  • comparecer en persona

    appear in person

Similar words

presentarse: Go to a specified place or event to present oneself.
acudir: Go to a place because of a need or specific purpose.
asistir: Attend a meeting, event, or class as a participant.
aparecer: Become visible or come into sight; show up.

Definition in Spanish

Presentarse formalmente ante un juzgado, tribunal u otra autoridad por citación o por deber legal.

Word origin

Built from Latin com- 'with' plus parēre 'to appear' via compareo, the verb comparecer in Spanish took on the specialized sense of formally appearing before a tribunal.

Usage tips

  • Grammatically intransitive and normally paired with 'ante' (comparecer ante el juez), expressing a formal legal appearance rather than merely 'turning up'.

Other meanings

  • attendverb
  • turn upverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word