When you learn Italian, you'll find words that are similar to English, and some that are quite different. Today's word is contendere, which is an Italian verb.
Think of contendere like 'to contend' or 'to struggle' in English. It means to compete or fight for something you want, like a prize or a position. For example, two teams might contendere for a championship.
You might also use it when people are arguing or debating strongly to get their point across. It implies a sense of effort and determination to win or achieve something against opposition.
When you're trying to express a strong sense of competition or struggle in Italian, contendere is an excellent C1 verb to use. It implies a significant effort or a challenging rivalry to gain or maintain something, whether it's a position, an object, or even an abstract concept like recognition. You'll often see it used in contexts where there are opposing forces or multiple parties vying for the same outcome. While there are other verbs like 'competere' or 'lottare' that also convey competition, contendere specifically highlights the act of contending or disputing, often with a sense of opposition.
§ What 'contendere' means
- Definition
- To struggle or compete for something, often implying a challenge or contest.
Alright, let's get straight to it. When you hear or read the Italian verb 'contendere', think 'struggle' or 'compete'. It's about striving against someone or something to achieve a goal, or to win a prize, or even just to maintain a position. It's a verb that carries a sense of effort and often, opposition. You won't use it for a friendly game of cards, but more for situations where there's a real battle of wills or skills. Think of sports, politics, or even serious debates.
This isn't a casual verb. It implies a certain level of intensity and importance. You're not just 'trying' for something; you're actively fighting for it. It's formal and strong, so you'll find it in more serious contexts. Don't use it in everyday, light conversation unless you want to sound overly dramatic.
§ When to use 'contendere'
You'll typically encounter 'contendere' when talking about:
- Competitions and contests: When people or teams are vying for a title, a prize, or a victory.
- Arguments and debates: When individuals or groups are strongly asserting their point of view against others.
- Struggles for power or control: In political or social contexts where different factions are fighting for dominance.
- Efforts against adversity: When someone is battling difficult circumstances or challenges.
It's a verb that often highlights the act of challenging or being challenged. It’s not just about wanting something; it’s about actively and sometimes aggressively trying to get it, often in the face of resistance.
§ Examples in context
Le due squadre si sono contese il campionato fino all'ultimo minuto.
Here, 'contese' means the two teams 'struggled/competed for' the championship. It emphasizes the intense competition.
Dovranno contendere il controllo della città ai ribelli.
In this case, 'contendere' means they will have to 'struggle/fight for' control of the city. It highlights the conflict.
È difficile contendere la sua posizione, dato che ha tutte le prove.
Here, it means it's difficult to 'challenge/contest' his position. This shows its use in formal disagreements.
So, when you see 'contendere', think beyond simple competition. Think about a real fight or struggle for something important. It's a strong verb for strong situations.
§ Where you actually hear this word — work, school, news
Alright, let's get practical. You've learned that 'contendere' means to struggle or compete for something. But where will you actually encounter this word in real life? The beauty of Italian, like any language, is that words pop up in various contexts. For 'contendere', think about situations where there's a clear goal, and people or groups are actively trying to achieve it, often against others.
The news is a prime place for 'contendere'. Whether it's political parties vying for power, sports teams battling for a championship, or companies competing for market share, 'contendere' fits perfectly. It suggests a significant effort and often a direct confrontation or opposition. It's not just a casual competition; it implies a more intense struggle.
I due partiti politici stanno contendendo il controllo del parlamento. (The two political parties are contending for control of parliament.)
Le squadre si sono contese la vittoria fino all'ultimo minuto. (The teams competed for victory until the last minute.)
In a work context, particularly in business or legal fields, you might hear 'contendere' when discussing bids, contracts, or even legal disputes. Imagine companies battling for a major project or individuals disputing property. It's about striving to win or gain something that others also desire.
Diverse aziende stanno contendendo l'appalto per la costruzione del nuovo ponte. (Several companies are competing for the contract to build the new bridge.)
Even in school, while perhaps less dramatic than political battles, students might 'contendere' for scholarships, top grades, or a spot in a prestigious program. It highlights the effort and struggle involved in achieving a sought-after position or reward.
Gli studenti più brillanti si contendono le borse di studio. (The brightest students compete for scholarships.)
- DEFINITION
- To struggle or compete for something.
So, in essence, whenever you see or hear 'contendere', think about a scenario where there's a prize, a position, or an outcome that multiple parties are actively and strenuously trying to secure. It implies a degree of difficulty and often a direct contest. It's a word that adds a layer of intensity to the idea of competition.
§ Similar words and when to use this one vs alternatives
When you're learning Italian, understanding the nuances between similar-sounding words is key. The verb 'contendere' (to struggle or compete for something) is a C1 level word, meaning it's quite specific in its usage. While other words can express competition or struggle, 'contendere' often implies a more formal, intense, or even prolonged struggle, frequently for a prize, a position, or a point of view.
Let's break down 'contendere' and compare it with some related Italian verbs you might already know or encounter.
§ Contendere vs. Competere
- Definition
- Both 'contendere' and 'competere' mean 'to compete.' However, 'competere' is the more general and commonly used term for competition in sports, business, or everyday situations.
You would use 'competere' when you're talking about:
- Sports: Le squadre competono per il campionato. (The teams compete for the championship.)
- Business: Molte aziende competono nello stesso mercato. (Many companies compete in the same market.)
- General contests: I partecipanti competono per il primo premio. (The participants compete for the first prize.)
Le due squadre hanno competuto con grande ardore. (The two teams competed with great ardor.)
'Contendere,' on the other hand, often implies a more direct, possibly contentious, or strenuous struggle. It's often used when there's something specific to be won or defended, and the struggle might be more intense or prolonged than a simple competition.
I due candidati si sono contesi la leadership del partito. (The two candidates contended for the leadership of the party.)
§ Contendere vs. Lottare
- Definition
- 'Lottare' means 'to fight,' 'to struggle,' or 'to wrestle.' It can be used for physical struggles, but also for more abstract struggles against difficulties or injustices.
Examples of 'lottare':
- Physical struggle: I lottatori hanno lottato sul tappeto. (The wrestlers fought on the mat.)
- Struggle against adversity: Dobbiamo lottare contro la povertà. (We must fight against poverty.)
- Personal struggle: Sta lottando con una grave malattia. (He is struggling with a serious illness.)
Ha dovuto lottare per ottenere i suoi diritti. (He had to struggle to obtain his rights.)
While 'lottare' focuses on the effort and the difficulty of the struggle, 'contendere' emphasizes the object or goal of the struggle, which is often something contested or desired by multiple parties.
I vicini si sono contesi il pezzo di terra. (The neighbors contended for the piece of land.)
§ Contendere vs. Disputare
- Definition
- 'Disputare' means 'to dispute,' 'to argue,' or 'to contend.' It often refers to a verbal or intellectual contest, or a formal match.
You would use 'disputare' for:
- Arguments: Hanno disputato per ore sulla questione. (They argued for hours about the matter.)
- Formal contests/matches: La squadra disputerà la finale la prossima settimana. (The team will play (dispute) the final next week.)
I professori hanno disputato un punto accademico. (The professors disputed an academic point.)
While 'disputare' can describe a contest, it often leans more towards verbal contention or a structured competition. 'Contendere' retains that sense of active, sometimes physical, struggle for possession or supremacy.
Le famiglie si sono contese l'eredità per anni. (The families contended for the inheritance for years.)
§ Key takeaways for 'contendere'
Use 'contendere' when:
- The struggle is intense, prolonged, or significant.
- There is a specific object, position, or outcome being fought for.
- There's an implication of rivalry or opposition in the struggle.
- The context is somewhat formal or serious.
It's less about a friendly competition ('competere') or a general fight against adversity ('lottare'), and more about a determined struggle to win or keep something in the face of opposition. Keep practicing these distinctions, and you'll master 'contendere' in no time!
रोचक तथ्य
The word 'contendere' shares its root with the English word 'contend'.
स्तर के अनुसार उदाहरण
I due ragazzi contendono per il giocattolo.
The two boys struggle for the toy.
Simple present tense.
La squadra contende la vittoria.
The team competes for victory.
Simple present tense.
Non voglio contendere con te.
I don't want to struggle with you.
Infinitive after 'volere'.
Loro contendono il primo posto.
They compete for the first place.
Simple present tense.
Chi contende il trofeo?
Who competes for the trophy?
Interrogative pronoun 'chi'.
Abbiamo dovuto contendere per il tavolo.
We had to struggle for the table.
Past tense with 'dovere'.
Lei contende il suo diritto.
She struggles for her right.
Simple present tense.
Il gatto contende il cibo con l'altro gatto.
The cat struggles for the food with the other cat.
Simple present tense with preposition 'con'.
I due fratelli contendono la palla.
The two brothers struggle for the ball.
Here 'contendono' is the third-person plural present tense of 'contendere'.
Molti atleti contendono il primo premio.
Many athletes compete for the first prize.
'Contendono' again, showing multiple subjects.
La squadra contende ogni punto.
The team struggles for every point.
'Contende' is the third-person singular present tense.
Non voglio contendere con te per questo.
I don't want to struggle with you for this.
'Contendere' in the infinitive after 'voglio' (I want).
Hanno dovuto contendere un posto in prima fila.
They had to compete for a front row seat.
'Dovuto contendere' is the past tense of 'must contend'.
Il gatto e il cane contendono il cibo.
The cat and the dog struggle for the food.
Another example of third-person plural present tense.
È difficile contendere per la vittoria.
It is difficult to compete for victory.
Here 'contendere' is the infinitive after 'è difficile' (it is difficult).
Contendiamo sempre per le cose piccole.
We always struggle for small things.
'Contendiamo' is the first-person plural present tense.
Le due squadre si sono contese la vittoria fino all'ultimo minuto.
The two teams struggled for victory until the last minute.
Reflexive verb, past tense. 'Si' refers to 'le due squadre'.
Molti atleti contengono un posto alle Olimpiadi.
Many athletes compete for a spot at the Olympics.
Present tense. 'un posto' (a spot) is the direct object.
Non contendo per cose materiali.
I don't compete for material things.
Present tense, first person singular. 'per' (for) introduces the object of contention.
Hanno dovuto contendere il diritto di voto per decenni.
They had to struggle for the right to vote for decades.
Past tense with modal verb 'dovere'. 'il diritto di voto' (the right to vote) is the direct object.
I fratelli si sono contesi l'eredità.
The brothers struggled over the inheritance.
Reflexive verb, past tense. 'l'eredità' (the inheritance) is the object of contention.
Preferisco non contendere su questioni di principio.
I prefer not to contend on matters of principle.
Infinitive after 'preferire'. 'su questioni di principio' (on matters of principle) indicates the subject of contention.
La città contende il primato turistico con altre località vicine.
The city competes for tourist supremacy with other nearby locations.
Present tense. 'il primato turistico' (tourist supremacy) is the direct object.
Le nazioni contendevano per il controllo del territorio.
The nations struggled for control of the territory.
Imperfect tense. 'per il controllo' (for control) indicates the object of contention.
Le due squadre si contesero la vittoria fino all'ultimo minuto della partita.
The two teams struggled for victory until the last minute of the game.
Here 'contendersi' is used reflexively, meaning 'to struggle among themselves'.
I fratelli contesero l'eredità per anni in tribunale.
The brothers competed for the inheritance for years in court.
'Contendere' followed by a direct object.
Molte aziende contendevano il contratto governativo con offerte aggressive.
Many companies competed for the government contract with aggressive bids.
'Contendere' with a direct object 'il contratto'.
Non contendo per cose materiali, preferisco la pace interiore.
I don't compete for material things, I prefer inner peace.
Negative form, 'non contendo'.
La città è stata contesa da diverse potenze per secoli.
The city has been struggled over by various powers for centuries.
Passive voice: 'è stata contesa'.
Entrambi i candidati contendevano la presidenza con programmi ambiziosi.
Both candidates competed for the presidency with ambitious programs.
'Contendere' followed by 'la presidenza'.
Il gatto e il cane contendevano lo stesso osso in giardino.
The cat and the dog struggled over the same bone in the garden.
'Contendere' with a direct object 'lo stesso osso'.
È difficile contendere un premio così prestigioso con avversari tanto forti.
It's difficult to compete for such a prestigious prize with such strong opponents.
Infinitive form 'contendere'.
व्याकरण पैटर्न
वाक्य संरचनाएँ
Qualcuno contende per qualcosa.
I due atleti contendono per la medaglia d'oro. (The two athletes are competing for the gold medal.)
Qualcuno contende con qualcuno per qualcosa.
Le squadre contendono con grande impegno per il campionato. (The teams are struggling with great effort for the championship.)
Qualcosa contende con qualcosa (figurato).
La luce e l'ombra contendono sul dipinto. (Light and shadow contend on the painting.)
Contendere un diritto/un premio.
Ha dovuto contendere il suo diritto alla proprietà. (He had to contend for his right to the property.)
Contendersi (reciproco): Qualcuno e qualcuno si contendono qualcosa.
I fratelli si contendono l'eredità. (The brothers are contending over the inheritance.)
Contendere il primato.
Molte aziende contendono il primato nel mercato tecnologico. (Many companies contend for supremacy in the technology market.)
Contendere con la sfortuna/il destino.
Ha dovuto contendere con la sfortuna per tutta la vita. (He had to contend with bad luck his whole life.)
Contendere un'opinione/un'idea.
Non è facile contendere la sua opinione ben argomentata. (It's not easy to contend with his well-reasoned opinion.)
शब्द की उत्पत्ति
Latin contendere
मूल अर्थ: to stretch, strive for, or contend
Indo-Europeanसांस्कृतिक संदर्भ
In Italian culture, 'contendere' can evoke a sense of passionate struggle, often seen in sports or political discourse, reflecting a society that values spirited debate and competition.
खुद को परखो 54 सवाल
Io e Marco vogliamo ___ la torta.
The sentence is about eating a cake, so 'mangiare' (to eat) is the correct verb. 'Contendere' (to struggle/compete) does not fit here.
Lei non vuole ___ con nessuno.
The sentence suggests a general action she doesn't want to do with anyone. 'Parlare' (to talk) is a common, simple verb that fits. 'Contendere' (to struggle/compete) is not suitable for an A1 context without more specific information.
Noi andiamo a ___ un film.
The most appropriate verb for 'a film' is 'guardare' (to watch). 'Contendere' (to struggle/compete) doesn't make sense in this context.
Tu vuoi ___ un libro nuovo?
For 'un libro nuovo' (a new book), the verb 'leggere' (to read) is the correct choice. 'Contendere' (to struggle/compete) is not appropriate here.
Loro devono ___ a casa.
'Andare' (to go) is the most natural verb to use with 'a casa' (home). 'Contendere' (to struggle/compete) does not fit the simple A1 context.
Voi potete ___ l'acqua, per favore?
The sentence is a polite request for water, so 'dare' (to give) is the correct verb. 'Contendere' (to struggle/compete) is completely out of place.
The correct order forms the sentence 'The child struggles for the toy'.
The correct order forms the sentence 'They want to compete for the prize'.
The correct order forms the sentence 'The team competes for victory'.
Choose the best translation for 'They are competing for the first prize.'
The verb 'contendere' means to compete or struggle for something, fitting the context perfectly.
Which sentence uses 'contendere' correctly?
'Contendere' directly takes the object that is being competed for.
What is the past participle of 'contendere'?
The past participle of the verb 'contendere' is 'conteso'.
The sentence 'Le due squadre contendevano per la vittoria.' means 'The two teams were struggling for victory.'
Yes, 'contendere per' means to struggle or compete for, so the translation is correct.
You can use 'contendere' to express 'to agree with someone'.
'Contendere' means to struggle or compete, which is the opposite of agreeing.
The phrase 'contendere il primato' means 'to challenge the supremacy'.
Yes, 'contendere il primato' implies competing or struggling to achieve or maintain a leading position.
Scrivi una breve frase per descrivere una situazione in cui due persone potrebbero contendere per qualcosa.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
I due fratelli hanno iniziato a contendere per l'ultimo pezzo di torta al cioccolato.
Usa il verbo 'contendere' in una frase che parli di una gara sportiva.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Le squadre contendono il trofeo con grande impegno e spirito sportivo.
Immagina una discussione per una risorsa limitata. Scrivi una frase che usi 'contendere' per descrivere la situazione.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Molte aziende contendono per accaparrarsi i migliori talenti sul mercato del lavoro.
Per cosa contendono Giovanni e Marco?
Read this passage:
In una piccola città, due panettieri rivali, Giovanni e Marco, erano famosi per i loro deliziosi pani. Ogni mattina, i loro clienti si affrettavano a comprare il pane, e Giovanni e Marco contenderevano per avere il miglior pane e il maggior numero di clienti. La loro competizione era feroce ma leale.
Per cosa contendono Giovanni e Marco?
Il testo dice chiaramente che "Giovanni e Marco contenderevano per avere il miglior pane e il maggior numero di clienti."
Il testo dice chiaramente che "Giovanni e Marco contenderevano per avere il miglior pane e il maggior numero di clienti."
Cosa dovevano fare i giocatori per vincere il campionato?
Read this passage:
La squadra di calcio locale ha giocato una partita molto importante. Il risultato finale avrebbe deciso chi avrebbe vinto il campionato. I giocatori hanno dovuto contendere ogni pallone con grande energia e determinazione per raggiungere il loro obiettivo.
Cosa dovevano fare i giocatori per vincere il campionato?
Il passaggio afferma che "I giocatori hanno dovuto contendere ogni pallone con grande energia e determinazione."
Il passaggio afferma che "I giocatori hanno dovuto contendere ogni pallone con grande energia e determinazione."
Per cosa contendono i due vicini?
Read this passage:
Due vicini di casa, che vivevano fianco a fianco, avevano un bellissimo giardino. Purtroppo, una disputa su una piccola striscia di terra al confine li portò a contendere per mesi. Alla fine, un accordo fu raggiunto, ma la tensione rimase.
Per cosa contendono i due vicini?
Il testo specifica che "una disputa su una piccola striscia di terra al confine li portò a contendere per mesi."
Il testo specifica che "una disputa su una piccola striscia di terra al confine li portò a contendere per mesi."
Quale verbo è il sinonimo più vicino a 'contendere' in questo contesto: 'Le aziende contendono il mercato'?
'Contendere' implica una lotta o competizione, quindi 'lottare' è il sinonimo più appropriato.
Completa la frase: 'I politici _______ per il potere.'
Il contesto suggerisce una lotta per il potere, quindi 'contendono' è la scelta corretta.
Quale delle seguenti frasi usa 'contendere' correttamente?
'Contendere' si usa per indicare una lotta o competizione per qualcosa di significativo come un territorio, non oggetti quotidiani o attività.
Se due persone 'contendono', significa che vanno d'accordo.
'Contendere' significa lottare o competere, che è l'opposto di andare d'accordo.
Si può 'contendere' per un premio.
È molto comune 'contendere' (competere) per un premio o riconoscimento.
Il verbo 'contendere' è spesso usato in contesti di cooperazione.
'Contendere' si riferisce a una competizione o lotta, non alla cooperazione.
Le squadre si sono preparate a _______ il campionato con tutte le loro forze.
The context implies a struggle or competition for the championship, which 'contendere' perfectly conveys.
Non è saggio _______ il tuo posto di lavoro senza un piano B.
To 'contendere' one's job implies fighting to keep it or struggling against losing it.
Le due fazioni hanno continuato a _______ il potere per decenni.
When two factions are involved, 'contendere' (to struggle/compete for) power is the most appropriate verb.
È difficile _______ per la verità quando tutti ti sono contro.
To 'contendere' for the truth means to fight or argue for its recognition, especially against opposition.
Il tribunale dovrà _______ la validità del testamento.
In a legal context, 'contendere' can mean to dispute or challenge the validity of something.
Senza un forte argomento, sarà difficile _______ la loro decisione.
To 'contendere' a decision means to dispute or challenge it with arguments.
Choose the best synonym for 'contendere' in the context of a competition.
'Lottare' means 'to fight' or 'to struggle', which is the closest synonym to 'contendere' when talking about competition. 'Arrendersi' means 'to surrender', 'collaborare' means 'to collaborate', and 'accettare' means 'to accept', none of which fit the context.
Quale frase usa 'contendere' correttamente?
The sentence 'I due atleti hanno dovuto contendere il primo posto nella gara finale' (The two athletes had to contend for first place in the final race) correctly uses 'contendere' in the sense of struggling or competing for something. The other options use 'contendere' incorrectly or in a way that doesn't fit the common meaning of the verb.
Which English verb best captures the meaning of 'contendere' in a legal dispute?
In a legal context, 'contendere' implies disputing or challenging a claim. 'Agree', 'concede', and 'ignore' are opposite in meaning or irrelevant.
If you 'contend' for a position, you are trying to get it.
To 'contend' for a position means to struggle or compete to obtain it, so this statement is true.
The word 'contendere' is commonly used to express agreement.
No, 'contendere' means to struggle or compete for something, implying disagreement or opposition, not agreement. This statement is false.
You can 'contendere' for an idea or principle.
Yes, 'contendere' can be used in an abstract sense, meaning to argue for or defend an idea or principle. This statement is true.
Quale delle seguenti frasi usa correttamente il verbo "contendere"?
Contendere significa lottare o competere per qualcosa. In questo caso, i fratelli lottano per l'eredità.
In quale contesto "contendere" NON è appropriato?
Contendere implica una lotta o competizione. Un pasto con gli amici è solitamente un'attività collaborativa, non competitiva.
Quale sinonimo si avvicina di più al significato di "contendere"?
Competere e contendere sono quasi sinonimi, entrambi indicano l'atto di lottare per ottenere qualcosa.
La frase "Le due squadre contendono il primo posto in classifica" è un uso corretto di "contendere".
Sì, perché le squadre stanno lottando per la posizione più alta in classifica, il che rientra nel significato di contendere.
Se dico "Contendo con il mio sonno ogni sera", significa che combatto il sonno per rimanere sveglio.
Sì, l'espressione indica una lotta o uno sforzo per resistere al sonno, quindi l'uso è corretto.
È corretto dire "Contendiamo un gelato" per intendere che lo stiamo condividendo.
No, "contendere" implica competizione o lotta, non condivisione pacifica.
This sentence describes athletes struggling fiercely for victory. 'Contendere con forza' means to struggle with strength.
This sentence emphasizes the need to compete for every point in a crucial match. 'Contendere ogni punto' means to compete for every point.
This sentence expresses a desire not to argue or contend with someone over matters of principle. 'Contendere con te' means to contend with you.
/ 54 correct
Perfect score!
संबंधित सामग्री
sports के और शब्द
allenamento
A2The action of training for a sport
avversario
B1One's opponent in a contest or dispute.
calcio
A1A game played with a ball.
camminata
B1A walk for exercise or pleasure.
campionato
B1A competition to establish a champion.
campione
B1A sample or a winner in sports.
cavalcare
B1To ride on horseback.
concorso
B1A competition or contest.
correre
A1To move quickly on foot.
corridore
B1A person who runs, especially in sports
