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A1 preposition #2,000 सबसे आम 10 मिनट पढ़ने का समय

Contra

शीर्ष 2,000

At the A1 level, 'contra' is primarily used to describe physical position and simple opposition. You will see it in contexts like 'leaning against a wall' (encostado contra a parede) or in sports matchups (Brasil contra Portugal). It is a basic building block for describing where things are in relation to each other when they are touching or facing off. Learners should focus on the fact that 'contra' does not change its form and is followed by 'o' or 'a' without contracting. It is a very stable word that helps you express simple preferences, like being 'against' a certain food or activity in a very basic way. At this stage, just think of it as the direct equivalent of 'against'.

In A2, you start using 'contra' to express more abstract ideas of opposition. You might use it to talk about being against a certain rule or opinion. It also appears in common health-related phrases, such as 'remédio contra a gripe' (medicine against the flu). You will begin to notice it in more varied sentence structures, such as 'lutar contra o tempo' (to fight against time/to be in a hurry). The focus here is on expanding the use of 'contra' from purely physical contact to metaphorical struggles and protective measures. You should also be able to identify it in simple news headlines about sports or local events.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'contra' in a wide range of idiomatic expressions and more complex grammatical structures. You will encounter the distinction between 'ir de encontro a' (to collide/disagree) and 'ir ao encontro de' (to meet/agree), which is a crucial milestone for intermediate learners. You will also use 'contra' to describe more nuanced positions in debates, such as 'argumentos contra e a favor'. In professional contexts, you might see 'pagamento contra entrega'. Your understanding of 'contra' should now include its role as a prefix in words like 'contraproposta' (counter-proposal) and how it changes the meaning of the base word.

By B2, 'contra' becomes a tool for sophisticated argumentation. You will use it to express complex opposition in social, political, and legal contexts. You should be able to understand and use it in phrases like 'agir contra a lei' or 'votar contra a maré'. The use of 'contra' in literature to create conflict or tension becomes more apparent. You will also master the spelling rules for 'contra-' as a prefix under the new orthographic agreement. At this level, you are expected to use 'contra' with precision, distinguishing it from synonyms like 'oposto' or 'contrário' in academic or professional writing to convey exact shades of meaning.

At the C1 level, your use of 'contra' should be near-native. you will understand its subtle uses in formal legal documents, philosophical texts, and high-level journalism. You can use it to describe intricate relationships of force and resistance, both physical and metaphorical. You will be familiar with rare idioms and historical uses of the word. Your ability to use 'contra' to structure a complex argument—setting up 'os prós e os contras' with stylistic flair—is a hallmark of this level. You will also be sensitive to the rhythmic and phonetic qualities of the word in poetry and rhetorical speech, using it to emphasize contrast and defiance.

At the C2 level, 'contra' is used with total mastery and effortless precision. You can navigate the most archaic or technical uses of the word, such as in ancient legal maxims or specialized scientific fields. You understand the etymological roots of 'contra' and how they influence its various meanings in all Romance languages. You can play with the word in creative writing, using it to subvert expectations or create complex layers of meaning. Whether you are analyzing a dense philosophical treatise or writing a high-stakes diplomatic communiqué, 'contra' is a versatile instrument in your linguistic repertoire, used to define the very boundaries of thought and action.

इसका अभ्यास करें उदाहरण नोट्स और सुझाव

Contra 30 सेकंड में

A versatile preposition meaning 'against' in physical, ideological, and competitive contexts.
Invariable form: it never contracts with articles (e.g., 'contra o', not 'contro').
Essential for sports (Team A vs Team B) and health (medicine against a disease).
Key part of idioms like 'ir de encontro a' (to disagree or collide).

The Portuguese word contra is a versatile preposition that primarily translates to 'against' in English. At its core, it signifies opposition, resistance, or physical contact between two entities. Whether you are talking about a physical object leaning against a wall, a sports team playing against a rival, or an individual standing against an ideological movement, 'contra' is the linguistic bridge that defines this relationship of conflict or contact. Understanding 'contra' is fundamental for any learner because it appears in almost every register of the language, from the simplest daily observations to complex legal and philosophical arguments. It is a word that carries weight, often setting the stage for a binary comparison or a struggle. In the physical sense, it denotes the direction of force. If you push contra something, you are applying pressure in the opposite direction of that object's surface. In the abstract sense, it denotes a lack of alignment or agreement. If you are contra a law, you believe that law should not exist or should be changed. This duality makes it one of the most powerful prepositions in the Portuguese lexicon.

Physical Opposition: Describes an object in contact with another, often supporting weight or exerting pressure. Example: 'A escada está encostada contra a parede' (The ladder is leaning against the wall).

O lutador lutou contra o seu próprio medo antes de entrar no ringue.

Ideological Conflict: Used to express disagreement with ideas, policies, or beliefs. Example: 'Muitos cidadãos protestaram contra a nova taxa' (Many citizens protested against the new tax).

Eles jogaram contra o tempo para terminar o projeto.

Competitive Context: Essential for sports and games to denote the opponent. Example: 'Brasil contra Argentina' (Brazil vs. Argentina).

O remédio é eficaz contra a gripe.

Votar contra a maré exige coragem.

O carro bateu contra o poste.

Furthermore, 'contra' can be used in economic contexts to mean 'in exchange for' or 'upon'. For instance, 'pagamento contra entrega' means 'payment upon delivery'. This usage is more formal and specific to commercial transactions. It implies a condition: the action happens only when the opposing condition is met. This multifaceted nature of 'contra' allows it to transition seamlessly from a physical description to a complex logical operator. In literature, 'contra' often sets a mood of defiance or struggle, highlighting the protagonist's journey against the odds. By mastering this word, you unlock the ability to describe conflict, position, and conditionality with precision.

Using contra correctly involves understanding its syntactic role as a preposition that never changes its form. Unlike many other Portuguese prepositions like 'de' (which becomes 'do', 'da', etc.) or 'em' (which becomes 'no', 'na', etc.), 'contra' remains steadfast. It is followed directly by a noun, a pronoun, or an infinitive verb. This stability makes it relatively easy for beginners to memorize, but the challenge lies in knowing when it is the most appropriate choice among other prepositions like 'ante' or 'perante'.

Direct Object Contact: When describing a collision or a lean, 'contra' is the standard. 'Bater contra' (to hit against) is more forceful than 'bater em' (to hit in/on).

Não empurre a mesa contra a janela.

Opposition and Debate: In debates, 'contra' is used to state a position. 'Sou contra' (I am against) vs 'Sou a favor' (I am in favor).

O advogado argumentou contra as evidências apresentadas.

Directional Force: It indicates movement towards something with the intent of impact or resistance. 'Caminhar contra o vento' (Walking against the wind).

Nadar contra a correnteza é exaustivo.

Ele agiu contra a vontade dos pais.

Proteja-se contra o sol forte.

One of the more advanced ways to use 'contra' is in the expression 'ir de encontro a' versus 'ir ao encontro de'. While 'ir ao encontro de' means to go towards someone to meet them or to agree with an idea, 'ir de encontro a' means to collide with or to disagree with. This is a common point of confusion even for native speakers. Using 'contra' in the sense of 'de encontro a' emphasizes the clash. Additionally, 'contra' is used to express protection: 'vacina contra a raiva' (vaccine against rabies). Here, it implies a defensive barrier. Whether you are defending a position or physically bracing for impact, 'contra' is your go-to preposition for expressing any form of 'anti-' sentiment or physical opposition.

The word contra is ubiquitous in Portuguese-speaking societies, echoing through stadiums, courtrooms, and dinner table debates. If you turn on a sports broadcast in Brazil or Portugal, you will hear it every few minutes. Commentators use it to describe the matchup: 'Benfica contra Porto' or 'Flamengo contra Vasco'. It sets the stage for the rivalry. In the news, it is the word of choice for reporting on protests, legal battles, and international conflicts. Headlines often read 'Manifestação contra a corrupção' (Protest against corruption) or 'Sanções contra o país' (Sanctions against the country). It is a word that defines the friction of modern life.

Sports Commentary: Used to identify competing sides. 'O próximo jogo é contra o líder do campeonato.'

O time marcou um gol contra (own goal).

Daily Arguments: In casual conversation, people use it to express their stance. 'Eu não tenho nada contra ele, mas discordo da ideia.'

Não há nada contra o regulamento.

Medical and Safety: Warnings and prescriptions. 'Este creme protege contra picadas de insetos.'

Lutar contra o sistema é difícil.

O navio navegava contra o vento.

A decisão foi contra os meus princípios.

In a professional setting, you might hear 'contra' during negotiations. 'Estamos a trabalhar contra o relógio' (We are working against the clock) is a common phrase in high-pressure environments. In legal contexts, 'prova contra' (evidence against) is a standard term. Even in the kitchen, recipes might mention 'mexer contra o sentido dos ponteiros do relógio' (stir counter-clockwise). The word is so integrated into the fabric of the language that it often goes unnoticed, yet it provides the essential contrast needed to define actions and positions. Whether in a heated political debate or a simple instruction on how to lean a bicycle, 'contra' is the linguistic anchor for opposition.

Even though contra is a straightforward preposition, learners often stumble over its specific usage patterns and its lack of contractions. One of the most frequent errors is trying to contract 'contra' with articles, similar to how 'de + o' becomes 'do'. Beginners might mistakenly say 'contro' or 'contra o' with a forced contraction that doesn't exist in Portuguese. Always remember: 'contra' stands alone. Another common mistake involves the confusion between 'ir de encontro a' and 'ir ao encontro de'. These two phrases sound similar but have opposite meanings, and using 'contra' incorrectly in these contexts can lead to significant misunderstandings.

Contraction Errors: Incorrect: 'Bati contro muro'. Correct: 'Bati contra o muro'. 'Contra' never merges with articles.

Não diga 'sou contro isso', diga 'sou contra isso'.

Confusing 'De Encontro A': Learners often use 'de encontro a' when they mean 'to meet someone'. 'De encontro a' means to collide or disagree. Use 'ao encontro de' for agreement/meeting.

A sua opinião vai de encontro a tudo o que acreditamos (disagreement).

Overusing 'Contra' for 'Opposite': While 'contra' means against, 'opposite' is usually 'oposto a' or 'em frente a'. Don't say 'a loja é contra o banco' if you mean 'across from'.

O remédio é contra indicado (mistake in spacing: should be 'contraindicado').

Eles lutaram contra si mesmos.

O resultado foi contra as expectativas.

Finally, be careful with the word order in negative sentences. While 'contra' itself implies a negative or opposing stance, it doesn't replace the need for 'não' if the verb is negative. For example, 'Eu não sou contra' (I am not against) is different from 'Eu sou contra' (I am against). Some learners get confused and think 'contra' carries the negative weight of the whole sentence. Also, pay attention to the preposition 'em' vs 'contra'. 'Encostar na parede' is just leaning, while 'Encostar contra a parede' might imply more pressure or a defensive stance. Precision in these small choices will make your Portuguese sound much more natural and sophisticated.

To truly master contra, it helps to compare it with its synonyms and related terms. While 'contra' is the most common way to say 'against', Portuguese offers several other words that can convey similar meanings depending on the context. Words like 'versus', 'oposto', 'contrário', and 'defronte' all inhabit the same semantic space but are used in different ways. Understanding these nuances will allow you to choose the exact word that fits your intended meaning, whether you are describing a physical location, a sports match, or a philosophical disagreement.

Contra vs. Versus: 'Versus' is used almost exclusively in sports or legal titles (e.g., 'A versus B'). 'Contra' is much more common in everyday speech and writing.

O jogo de hoje é Benfica contra Porto.

Contra vs. Contrário: 'Contra' is a preposition, while 'contrário' is an adjective or noun. 'Pelo contrário' means 'on the contrary'. You are 'contra' something, but something is 'contrário' to your plans.

Isso é contrário ao que combinamos.

Contra vs. Oposto: 'Oposto' refers to the opposite side or position. 'No lado oposto' (on the opposite side). 'Contra' implies opposition or contact.

Eles têm opiniões opostas.

O muro foi construído contra as inundações.

Remar contra a maré.

Other words like 'ante' (before/in the face of) or 'perante' (in front of/before an authority) can sometimes overlap with 'contra' in formal writing, but they lack the sense of active opposition. For example, 'perante o juiz' (before the judge) is neutral, whereas 'contra o juiz' (against the judge) implies conflict. There is also 'defronte de' which means 'facing' or 'opposite to' in a spatial sense. By distinguishing between these terms, you can avoid the common pitfall of using 'contra' as a catch-all for anything that is 'not here' or 'different'. Each word has its specific place, and 'contra' is reserved for the friction, the contact, and the opposition that defines so much of our interaction with the world.

How Formal Is It?

औपचारिक

अनौपचारिक

कठिनाई स्तर

ज़रूरी व्याकरण

स्तर के अनुसार उदाहरण

O jogo é Portugal contra Espanha.

The game is Portugal against Spain.

Simple prepositional use for competition.

A cadeira está contra a mesa.

The chair is against the table.

Physical contact/position.

Eu sou contra o barulho.

I am against the noise.

Expressing a simple opinion.

Ela encostou a cabeça contra o vidro.

She leaned her head against the glass.

Physical contact.

O carro bateu contra a árvore.

The car hit against the tree.

Describing a collision.

Eles jogam contra nós amanhã.

They play against us tomorrow.

Preposition followed by a pronoun.

O remédio é contra a dor.

The medicine is against the pain.

Purpose/Protection.

Não empurre contra a porta.

Don't push against the door.

Imperative with preposition.

Tome este xarope contra a tosse.

Take this syrup against the cough.

Medical context.

Estamos a lutar contra o tempo.

We are fighting against time.

Idiomatic expression for being in a hurry.

O povo protestou contra o governo.

The people protested against the government.

Abstract opposition.

É difícil nadar contra a corrente.

It is difficult to swim against the current.

Physical and metaphorical resistance.

Ele agiu contra as ordens do chefe.

He acted against the boss's orders.

Opposition to authority.

O seguro protege contra roubo.

The insurance protects against theft.

Protective context.

Eles estão contra a nossa proposta.

They are against our proposal.

Prepositional phrase expressing stance.

O vento sopra contra o rosto.

The wind blows against the face.

Directional force.

A sua atitude vai de encontro a tudo o que eu penso.

Your attitude goes against everything I think.

Important idiom 'ir de encontro a' (to disagree).

O pagamento será feito contra a entrega da mercadoria.

Payment will be made against the delivery of the goods.

Commercial/Conditional usage.

Eles apresentaram uma contraproposta ontem.

They presented a counter-proposal yesterday.

Use of 'contra' as a prefix.

O crime foi cometido contra um cidadão estrangeiro.

The crime was committed against a foreign citizen.

Legal/Victim context.

Não tenho nada contra, mas prefiro outra cor.

I have nothing against it, but I prefer another color.

Common conversational phrase.

O exército preparou um contra-ataque.

The army prepared a counter-attack.

Prefix with hyphen (historical/specific usage).

Ela votou contra a nova lei de imigração.

She voted against the new immigration law.

Political action.

O navio bateu contra o cais devido à tempestade.

The ship hit against the pier due to the storm.

Describing an accident.

É preciso pesar os prós e os contras antes de decidir.

It is necessary to weigh the pros and cons before deciding.

Noun usage 'os contras'.

O réu agiu contra os seus próprios interesses.

The defendant acted against his own interests.

Reflexive opposition.

A vacinação contra a malária é essencial nesta região.

Vaccination against malaria is essential in this region.

Public health context.

Ele é um rebelde que sempre rema contra a maré.

He is a rebel who always rows against the tide.

Metaphorical idiom.

A evidência contra ele era esmagadora.

The evidence against him was overwhelming.

Legal evidence.

O contra-argumento foi muito bem fundamentado.

The counter-argument was very well-founded.

Prefix usage in academic context.

Eles manifestaram-se contra a injustiça social.

They demonstrated against social injustice.

Social activism.

O vidro é resistente contra impactos fortes.

The glass is resistant against strong impacts.

Technical specification.

A decisão do tribunal foi contra a jurisprudência estabelecida.

The court's decision was against established jurisprudence.

High-level legal terminology.

Lutar contra moinhos de vento é uma tarefa inglória.

Fighting against windmills is a thankless task.

Literary allusion (futile struggle).

O autor posiciona-se contra a hegemonia cultural vigente.

The author positions himself against the prevailing cultural hegemony.

Academic/Sociological context.

Houve uma contraofensiva diplomática para evitar a guerra.

There was a diplomatic counter-offensive to avoid war.

Prefix usage 'contraofensiva'.

A sua tese vai de encontro aos pressupostos da pesquisa.

Your thesis goes against the research assumptions.

Formal use of 'de encontro a'.

O silêncio dela era um grito contra a opressão.

Her silence was a cry against oppression.

Metaphorical/Poetic usage.

A empresa tomou medidas contra a espionagem industrial.

The company took measures against industrial espionage.

Corporate security context.

É um contrassenso investir em carvão nos dias de hoje.

It is a contradiction/nonsense to invest in coal nowadays.

Noun 'contrassenso' (nonsense/contradiction).

A dialética entre o ser e o nada insurge-se contra a lógica formal.

The dialectic between being and nothingness rises against formal logic.

Philosophical discourse.

O decreto-lei colide frontalmente contra os princípios constitucionais.

The decree-law collides head-on against constitutional principles.

Constitutional law context.

A obra é uma diatribe contra a mediocridade da elite intelectual.

The work is a diatribe against the mediocrity of the intellectual elite.

Literary criticism.

Agir contra legem pode resultar em sanções severas.

Acting against the law (Latin term) can result in severe sanctions.

Latin legal expression used in Portuguese.

A resistência contra a entropia é a essência da vida biológica.

Resistance against entropy is the essence of biological life.

Scientific/Philosophical context.

O poema é uma ode contra o esquecimento histórico.

The poem is an ode against historical forgetting.

Poetic/Rhetorical usage.

A contrapartida exigida pelos credores foi considerada leonina.

The counterpart demanded by the creditors was considered 'leonine' (unfair).

Advanced financial/legal terminology.

Sua retórica é um baluarte contra a desinformação desenfreada.

His rhetoric is a bulwark against rampant misinformation.

Sophisticated metaphorical usage.

सामान्य शब्द संयोजन

Lutar contra

Votar contra

Remédio contra

Bater contra

Encostar contra

Agir contra

Prova contra

Crime contra

Proteção contra

Manifestação contra

सामान्य वाक्यांश

Contra a maré

Contra o tempo

Contra todos

Nada contra

Os prós e os contras

Contra a vontade

Contra a lei

Contra a parede

Contra o vento

Gol contra

अक्सर इससे भ्रम होता है

Contra vs Em frente a

Contra vs Oposto a

Contra vs Ao encontro de

मुहावरे और अभिव्यक्तियाँ

आसानी से भ्रमित होने वाले

Contra vs

वाक्य संरचनाएँ

शब्द परिवार

संज्ञा

क्रिया

विशेषण

इसे कैसे इस्तेमाल करें

noun usage

When used as a noun, it's always masculine: 'O contra é que...'

prefix rules

Under the 1990 Orthographic Agreement, use a hyphen only if the second element starts with 'h' or 'a' (e.g., contra-ataque, contra-habitual). Otherwise, join them (e.g., contrassenso, contraproposta).

सामान्य गलतियाँ

Saying 'contro' instead of 'contra o'.
Using 'de encontro a' when you mean 'to meet' (should be 'ao encontro de').
Using 'contra' to mean 'across the street' (should be 'em frente a').
Forgetting to double the 's' or 'r' in words like 'contrassenso' or 'contrarrazão'.
Using 'contra' without an article when one is needed (e.g., 'contra lei' instead of 'contra a lei').

सुझाव

No Contractions

Never combine 'contra' with 'o' or 'a'. It's always 'contra o' or 'contra a'. This is a common mistake for Spanish speakers.

Sports Matchups

Use 'contra' for any 'versus' situation. It's the most natural way to describe a game between two teams.

Against the Tide

Use 'contra a maré' to describe someone who is doing something different from everyone else or being a rebel.

Medicine Labeling

When looking for medicine, look for 'contra' followed by the symptom (e.g., 'contra febre').

Protection

Use 'contra' to describe things that protect you, like 'creme contra o sol' (sunscreen) or 'vacina contra gripe'.

Payment Terms

In formal business, 'contra entrega' means you pay when you receive the item. It's a useful term for online shopping.

Pros and Cons

When writing an essay, use the phrase 'os prós e os contras' to structure your comparison of an idea.

Diplomacy

Start a disagreement with 'Não tenho nada contra, mas...' to sound more polite and less aggressive.

New Spelling

Remember that 'contra' + 'senso' becomes 'contrassenso' (double 's') because of the new spelling rules.

Nasal Sounds

Practice the nasal 'on' in 'contra'. It's similar to the 'on' in the French word 'bon' but followed by a 't'.

याद करें

शब्द की उत्पत्ति

Latin

सांस्कृतिक संदर्भ

Used for every matchup. 'O clássico de domingo é Porto contra Benfica'.

Central to 'manifestações' (protests).

Saying 'não tenho nada contra' is a polite way to introduce a differing opinion.

असल ज़िंदगी में अभ्यास करें

वास्तविक संदर्भ

बातचीत की शुरुआत

"Você é contra ou a favor da nova lei?"

"Qual é a sua opinião contra o desperdício de comida?"

"Você já torceu contra o seu próprio time?"

"O que você faz para se proteger contra o frio?"

"Você prefere nadar a favor ou contra a corrente?"

डायरी विषय

Escreva sobre uma vez que você teve que lutar contra o tempo.

Você é contra algum hábito comum na sociedade? Por quê?

Descreva uma situação em que você agiu contra a sua vontade.

Quais são os prós e os contras de morar em uma cidade grande?

Como você se sente quando alguém vai de encontro às suas ideias?

अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल

10 सवाल

No, 'contra' is one of the few prepositions that never contracts with articles. You should always write and say 'contra o' or 'contra a'.

'Ir de encontro a' means to collide with or disagree with. 'Ir ao encontro de' means to meet someone or agree with an idea. They are opposites.

Yes, as a masculine noun 'o contra' means a disadvantage or an opposing point. For example: 'Quais são os prós e os contras?'

You say 'gol contra'. It is used both in sports and as a metaphor for a self-inflicted mistake.

It is neutral and used in all registers, from casual conversation to formal legal documents.

Use a hyphen only when the second word starts with 'h' or 'a'. For other letters, the words are joined (and 's' or 'r' are doubled if necessary).

Usually no. 'Em frente a' or 'defronte de' are better for 'across from'. 'Contra' implies contact or opposition.

Yes, it is the standard preposition for what a medicine treats: 'remédio contra a dor de cabeça'.

The most direct opposite is 'a favor' (in favor) or 'com' (with) depending on the context.

Only when used as a noun in the plural ('os contras'). As a preposition, it is always 'contra'.