Spanish Conversation · Level 39
74 words
Spanish word
enemigo
Pronunciation
IPA/eneˈmiɣo/
Meaning
- masculine nounenemy
Example
No somos enemigos, somos colegas.
We are not enemies, we are colleagues.
More examples
Después de la traición, se convirtió en mi enemigo.
After the betrayal, he became my enemy.
Core concept
Hostile person confronting another across a divide.
Common phrases
tener un enemigo
have an enemy
enemigo mortal
mortal enemy
enemigo público
public enemy
Similar words
rival: Person or team competing for the same goal and trying to outperform the other.
adversario: Person or group whose position or interests are directly opposed to another's.
oponente: Person who faces another directly in a match, debate, or sporting contest.
contrincante: Person who competes against another in a match or competitive event.
Definition in Spanish
Persona que dirige hostilidad o enemistad hacia otra persona, o que actúa como adversario o rival.
Word origin
From Latin inīmīcus 'not a friend' (in- 'not' + amīcus 'friend'), via medieval Romance into Spanish as enemigo, keeping the sense of someone who opposes or bears hostility toward another.
Usage tips
- Calling someone enemigo sounds strong in Spanish, so speakers often use adversario, rival, or contrincante to soften the meaning.