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B1 verb #4,000 most common 10 min read

coincidir

Top 4,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips coincidir in 30 Seconds

Explanation coincidir in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn 'coincidir' as a way to talk about dates or simple meetings. It is a regular '-ir' verb. You might use it to say that your birthday is on the same day as a holiday. Think of it as 'happening at the same time.' You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet. Just remember that it helps you describe when things 'match up' in time. For example, 'Mi fiesta coincide con el sábado' (My party coincides with Saturday). It's a useful word for basic scheduling. You might also hear it when two people find out they are from the same city. '¡Coincidimos! Yo también soy de Madrid.' This is a very basic way to express a shared connection. Focus on the present tense first: coincido, coincides, coincide, coincidimos, coincidís, coinciden. It is a great alternative to always saying 'también' (also). It makes your Spanish sound a little bit more advanced even at the beginning level. Practice using it with 'con' for people. 'Coincido con mi amigo' is a simple sentence you can master. Don't worry about the past tense yet, just focus on the idea of 'meeting' or 'matching' in the present.

At the A2 level, you can start using 'coincidir' in the past tense (pretérito indefinido) to talk about chance encounters. This is very common in daily life. For example, 'Ayer coincidí con Pedro en el supermercado.' This means you saw Pedro at the supermarket by accident. It is more natural than saying 'vi a Pedro' if you want to emphasize that it was a coincidence. You should also start using it to express simple agreement with someone's opinion. 'Coincido contigo' is a great phrase to use in conversations. It shows you are listening and share the same view. You will also see it used with dates and times more often. 'Nuestras vacaciones coinciden' (Our vacations overlap). This is very helpful for making plans with friends. You should learn the difference between 'coincidir' (unplanned) and 'quedar' (planned). If you say 'quedé con Juan,' you had an appointment. If you say 'coincidí con Juan,' it was a surprise. Understanding this distinction is a key milestone for A2 learners. You can also start using the preposition 'en' to specify what you agree on: 'Coincidimos en el precio' (We agree on the price).

At the B1 level, 'coincidir' becomes a versatile tool for expressing nuanced agreement and describing complex situations. You should be comfortable using it in various tenses, including the imperfect and the present subjunctive. For instance, 'Espero que nuestras agendas coincidan' (I hope our schedules align). This is the level where you move beyond simple physical meetings and start using 'coincidir' for intellectual and professional alignment. You might use it in a debate: 'Coincido plenamente con lo que has dicho, pero tengo una duda.' This shows a higher level of conversational skill. You will also encounter 'coincidir' in more formal texts, such as news reports or academic articles. 'Los datos coinciden con las predicciones' (The data matches the predictions). You should also learn the noun form 'coincidencia' (coincidence) and how to use it in phrases like '¡Qué coincidencia!' (What a coincidence!). At B1, you are expected to understand that 'coincidir' can imply a range of meanings from 'meeting someone' to 'sharing a philosophy.' You should also practice using 'coincidir en que' followed by a clause: 'Todos coinciden en que el clima está cambiando.' This structure is essential for summarizing opinions.

At the B2 level, you should use 'coincidir' with precision in both formal and informal contexts. You will notice it frequently in literature and advanced media. It is often used to describe the convergence of historical events or social trends. For example, 'La crisis económica coincidió con un cambio de gobierno.' This usage shows you can connect different narrative threads. You should also be aware of the stylistic value of 'coincidir.' It is a more sophisticated way to express agreement than 'estar de acuerdo.' In a business meeting, saying 'Mi visión coincide con la estrategia de la empresa' sounds professional and well-articulated. You should also master the use of 'coincidir' in the conditional and future tenses to talk about possibilities and plans. 'Si coincidiéramos en el mismo hotel, podríamos cenar juntos.' This shows a strong grasp of hypothetical structures. Furthermore, you should be able to distinguish 'coincidir' from similar verbs like 'concordar' (often used for data or grammar) and 'converger' (used for paths or trends). At B2, you should also be able to use 'coincidir' to describe physical alignment in technical contexts, such as 'los bordes de la tela coinciden.'

At the C1 level, you should explore the more abstract and philosophical applications of 'coincidir.' It is used to describe the alignment of values, souls, or cosmic events. In an essay, you might write about how 'las aspiraciones del individuo coinciden con las necesidades de la sociedad.' This demonstrates a high level of abstract thinking. You should also be sensitive to the register of the word. While it can be used casually, it often carries a weight of formality and precision. You will encounter it in legal and scientific documents where 'coincidencia' must be proven or disproven. 'No hay pruebas de que las huellas coincidan.' You should also be proficient in using 'coincidir' with complex grammatical structures, such as the 'se' impersonal or passive: 'Se coincide en señalar que...' (It is generally agreed that...). This is common in academic writing to present a consensus. Additionally, you should be able to use the word to describe subtle overlaps in meaning or connotation between different terms. For example, 'Aunque los términos no son sinónimos, sus campos semánticos coinciden en varios puntos.' This level of analysis is expected of a C1 learner. You should also be comfortable using 'coincidir' in idiomatic expressions and complex sentences that involve multiple clauses and prepositions.

At the C2 level, you possess a native-like command of 'coincidir' and can use it to express the finest shades of meaning. You understand its historical roots and how it functions within the broader system of the Spanish language. You might use it to discuss the 'coincidencia de opuestos' (coincidence of opposites) in a philosophical or mystical context. Your usage is effortless and always contextually appropriate. You can use 'coincidir' to create rhythm and emphasis in your writing, perhaps using it in a series of parallel structures: 'Coincidieron en el tiempo, coincidieron en el espacio, y finalmente, coincidieron en el destino.' You are also aware of regional variations in how 'coincidir' might be used or preferred over other verbs. In a professional capacity, you can use 'coincidir' to facilitate negotiations, finding points of agreement that others might miss. 'Hagamos coincidir nuestros intereses para lograr un beneficio mutuo.' You also understand the subtle irony or sarcasm that can be conveyed with the word, such as when two 'coincidences' are clearly planned. At this level, 'coincidir' is not just a verb but a precise instrument for describing the intricate ways in which the world and human thought intersect. You can discuss its etymology from the Latin 'coincidere' and how it relates to concepts of chance and causality.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

coincidir in 30 Seconds

Coincidir is a versatile Spanish verb meaning to coincide, agree, or meet by chance. It is essential for scheduling and expressing shared opinions.
It is a regular -ir verb that frequently uses the prepositions 'con' (for people/things) and 'en' (for topics of agreement or locations).
Commonly used to describe 'running into' someone (unplanned), unlike 'quedar' which is for planned meetings. It adds a level of sophistication to conversations.
In formal contexts, it describes data matching or events happening simultaneously. It is a key term for reaching B1 proficiency in Spanish.

The Spanish verb coincidir is a multifaceted linguistic tool that bridges the gap between physical reality and intellectual alignment. At its core, it describes the phenomenon of two or more things occupying the same space, time, or ideological position. For an English speaker, the most direct translation is 'to coincide,' but its usage in Spanish is far more frequent and nuanced than its English cognate. While in English we might say we 'ran into someone' or 'happen to agree,' Spanish speakers will often reach for coincidir to express these ideas with precision and elegance.

Temporal Alignment: This refers to events happening at the exact same time. For example, if two friends have their birthdays on the same day, their birthdays 'coinciden.' It is used extensively in scheduling and planning to indicate that appointments or events overlap.

Es una pena que nuestras vacaciones no coincidan este año, me gustaría viajar contigo.

Beyond the physical and temporal, coincidir is the preferred verb for expressing shared opinions or viewpoints. Instead of just saying 'estoy de acuerdo' (I agree), using 'coincido contigo' (I coincide with you) adds a layer of formal sophistication, suggesting that your independent lines of thought have met at the same conclusion. This makes it a staple in academic, professional, and political discourse.

Intellectual Agreement: Used when two people share the same opinion or analysis of a situation. It implies a convergence of thought rather than just a simple 'yes.'

Todos los expertos coinciden en que la economía mejorará el próximo trimestre.

Another common use case is the 'chance encounter.' If you are at a supermarket and see a colleague you didn't expect to see, you 'coincidiste' with them. This usage is softer than 'encontrarse' (to find/meet) because it emphasizes the accidental nature of the meeting—the fact that your paths simply crossed.

Chance Encounters: Describes meeting someone by accident in a public place or at an event where both parties were present simultaneously.

Ayer coincidí con Juan en el gimnasio y estuvimos charlando un rato.

Finally, it is used in technical or mathematical contexts to describe shapes or lines that occupy the same space. In geometry, if two lines are identical, they coincide. This literal meaning underpins all the metaphorical uses we see in daily conversation.

Los resultados del experimento coinciden con la hipótesis original.

Understanding 'coincidir' requires recognizing that it is an intransitive verb that frequently partners with 'con' (with) or 'en' (in). Whether you are talking about a serendipitous meeting in a cafe, a shared political stance, or a scheduling conflict, 'coincidir' provides the linguistic framework to describe the intersection of lives and ideas.

Mastering coincidir requires an understanding of its prepositional companions. Unlike many English verbs that can be used directly, coincidir almost always needs a 'bridge' to connect to the rest of the sentence. The choice between 'con', 'en', and 'que' is vital for clarity.

Using 'con' for People and Things: When you meet someone by chance or when one thing aligns with another, use 'con'.

Mi opinión coincide con la tuya perfectamente.

In this example, 'con' links the opinion of the speaker to the opinion of the listener. If you were to say 'Ayer coincidí con Marta,' you are saying you bumped into Marta.

Using 'en' for Actions and Opinions: Use 'en' when you and someone else agree on a specific point, or when events happen in the same place or time.

Ambos coincidimos en que la película fue demasiado larga.

Here, 'en' introduces the specific subject of the agreement. You can also use 'en' for locations: 'Coincidimos en París en 1998.'

The 'Coincidir que' Pattern: Sometimes 'coincidir' is used with 'que' to introduce a clause, often meaning 'it happens that' or 'it is a coincidence that.'

Coincide que hoy es mi cumpleaños también.

This is a very natural way to point out a surprising similarity. You might also encounter it in the negative: 'No coincide que...', meaning the situations do not align.

Nuestras agendas no coinciden, así que buscaremos otro día.

In the context of business, coincidir is used to discuss statistical data or audit results. If two reports show the same numbers, they 'coinciden.' This implies accuracy and verification.

Las dos versiones de los testigos coinciden en los detalles principales.

Finally, consider the reflexive-like uses (though not technically a reflexive verb, it often involves 'nosotros'). 'Coincidimos mucho' can simply mean 'we have a lot in common' or 'we run into each other often.' This brevity makes it a powerful word for describing social connections and shared experiences.

You will hear coincidir in almost every corner of Spanish-speaking life, from the casual chatter of a neighborhood cafe to the high-stakes environment of a courtroom. Its versatility makes it indispensable. In daily social life, it's the standard way to talk about meeting people without having planned it. If you tell a friend, 'Coincidí con tu hermano en el cine,' you're giving them a small update on your day.

Social Contexts: Used to describe 'bumping into' friends or acquaintances at parties, events, or public spaces.

¿Sabías que coincidimos en la misma boda hace cinco años?

In professional settings, coincidir is used to find common ground. During a meeting, a manager might say, 'Coincido con la propuesta del equipo de marketing,' signaling their approval. It sounds more collaborative than 'I agree.' It suggests that the speaker's own thoughts have naturally aligned with the proposal.

Professional/Academic Contexts: Used to validate research, agree with colleagues, or compare data sets.

Es difícil hacer coincidir los horarios de todos los departamentos.

News broadcasts and newspapers frequently use the word when reporting on multiple events happening simultaneously. 'La huelga coincide con la visita del presidente' (The strike coincides with the president's visit). This highlights the significance of the timing, often implying that the timing is not accidental or that it creates a specific conflict. In the world of dating and relationships, people often use it to talk about how they met or why they get along. 'Coincidimos en que queremos viajar por el mundo' (We agree that we want to travel the world). It highlights shared values and life goals.

Media and News: Used to describe synchronized events or conflicting schedules in public life.

El estreno de la película coincide con el festival de cine.

You will also hear it in legal contexts. If two witnesses give the same account of a crime, their testimonies 'coinciden.' This is a crucial aspect of establishing truth in a trial. In summary, whether you are discussing a lucky break, a shared opinion, or a logistical nightmare, coincidir is the word that brings those overlapping moments to life.

Even though coincidir looks like the English word 'coincide', English speakers often make specific errors when trying to use it in more 'Spanish' ways. The most frequent mistake is failing to use the correct preposition. Many learners try to use it without any preposition or with the wrong one like 'a' or 'de'.

Mistake 1: Missing 'con': Incorrect: 'Coincidí Marta en la calle.' Correct: 'Coincidí con Marta en la calle.'

In Spanish, you don't just 'coincide someone'; you 'coincide with' them. This 'con' is non-negotiable when referring to people.

Nunca coincidimos con nuestros vecinos en el ascensor.

Mistake 2: Using it for planned meetings: Learners often confuse 'coincidir' with 'quedar' or 'reunirse'. If you planned to meet someone at 5:00 PM, do NOT use 'coincidir'.

Quedamos a las ocho, pero no coincidimos porque ella llegó tarde y yo me fui.

Another common error is using 'coincidir' when you simply mean 'to agree' in a casual way. While 'coincido' is correct, 'estoy de acuerdo' is often more natural for simple affirmations. Use 'coincidir' when you want to emphasize that your opinions are the same, not just that you are giving permission or consenting.

Mistake 3: Confusing 'en' and 'con': Learners say 'Coincido con que es verdad' when they should say 'Coincido en que es verdad'. Use 'en' for the 'what' and 'con' for the 'who'.

¿Coincidís en la necesidad de cambiar el logo?

Finally, watch out for the stress! It is 'coin-ci-DIR', with the stress on the last syllable. Pronouncing it like the English 'co-IN-ci-de' will make it hard for locals to understand you.

No es que coincidan por azar; es que viven en el mismo edificio.

By avoiding these pitfalls, you'll use 'coincidir' like a native speaker, adding precision and variety to your Spanish vocabulary.

Spanish offers several alternatives to coincidir, each with a slightly different flavor. Understanding these nuances will help you choose the right word for the right situation. The most common synonym is 'estar de acuerdo,' but there are others like 'concordar' and 'converger.'

Coincidir vs. Estar de acuerdo: 'Estar de acuerdo' is the generic 'to agree.' 'Coincidir' is more specific, suggesting that two separate ideas or people have come to the same point.

Estoy de acuerdo con el plan, y coincido contigo en que es arriesgado.

Coincidir vs. Concordar: 'Concordar' is often used for grammatical agreement or when data matches perfectly. It is slightly more formal and technical than 'coincidir.'

El sujeto debe concordar con el verbo, pero aquí las ideas coinciden por accidente.

Coincidir vs. Encontrarse: 'Encontrarse' is 'to meet.' It can be planned or unplanned. 'Coincidir' emphasizes that the meeting happened because you were both in the same place at the same time by chance.

Nos encontramos en el café (planned), pero coincidimos con el jefe allí (unplanned).

In more abstract contexts, you might use 'ajustarse' (to fit/adjust) or 'cuadrar' (to square/match). If numbers in an account 'no cuadran,' they don't add up or 'coinciden.'

Coincidir vs. Discrepar (Antonym): 'Discrepar' is the direct opposite of agreeing or coinciding in opinion. It is a formal way to say you disagree.

Aunque coincidimos en el objetivo, discrepamos en el método.

Las fechas de los exámenes coinciden con las fiestas locales.

By learning these distinctions, you can navigate the subtleties of Spanish agreement and chance encounters with confidence. Whether you need the formality of 'concordar' or the casual surprise of 'coincidir,' you'll always have the right word at hand.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"Los peritos coinciden en que el incendio fue accidental."

Neutral

"Mi opinión coincide con la del resto del grupo."

Informal

"¡Qué fuerte que hayamos coincidido aquí!"

Child friendly

"¡Mira! Nuestros dibujos coinciden, son iguales."

Slang

"Ni de coña vamos a coincidir en eso."

Fun Fact

The root 'cadere' (to fall) is also the origin of words like 'cadencia' (cadence) and 'caída' (fall). So, 'coincidir' literally means 'falling together' into the same spot.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ko.in.θiˈðiɾ/

US /ko.in.siˈðiɾ/

The stress is on the final syllable: co-in-ci-DIR.

Rhymes With

vivir dormir sentir venir abrir reír subir morir

Common Errors

Pronouncing it like the English 'coincide' (co-IN-ci-de).
Stressing the second-to-last syllable (co-in-CI-dir).
Omitting the 'i' in the first syllable (con-ci-dir).
Pronouncing the 'c' as a 'k' sound.
Using an English 'r' sound at the end instead of a Spanish tapped 'r'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize because of the English cognate.

Writing 5/5

Requires correct prepositional use (con/en).

Speaking 5/5

Stress on the last syllable is tricky for some.

Listening 4/5

Can be confused with other -ir verbs in fast speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

acuerdo tiempo mismo con en

Learn Next

concordar discrepar converger azar casualidad

Advanced

sincronía concomitante unanimidad discrepancia afinidad

Grammar to Know

Prepositional Verbs

Coincidir + con (person/thing) or + en (topic).

Subjunctive with Expressions of Hope

Espero que coincidan.

Impersonal 'Se'

Se coincide en que el problema es grave.

Regular -ir Verb Conjugation

Yo coincido, Tú coincides, Él coincide...

Conditional Sentences (Type 2)

Si coincidiéramos, iríamos al cine.

Examples by Level

Mi cumpleaños coincide con el tuyo.

My birthday coincides with yours.

Present tense, 3rd person singular.

¿Coincidimos en el café mañana?

Do we meet at the cafe tomorrow?

Present tense, 1st person plural.

Las clases coinciden los lunes.

The classes happen at the same time on Mondays.

Present tense, 3rd person plural.

Yo coincido con tu idea.

I agree with your idea.

Present tense with 'con'.

Nuestras llaves no coinciden.

Our keys do not match (are not the same).

Negative form.

Él coincide conmigo en el parque.

He runs into me in the park.

Present tense with 'conmigo'.

Las citas coinciden a las diez.

The appointments coincide at ten.

Plural subject.

Ellos coinciden en el mismo grupo.

They are in the same group.

Present tense with 'en'.

Ayer coincidí con mi profesor en el cine.

Yesterday I ran into my teacher at the cinema.

Pretérito indefinido, 1st person singular.

Coincidimos en que la comida estaba rica.

We agreed that the food was delicious.

Pretérito indefinido with 'en que'.

Mis vacaciones coincidieron con las de mi hermana.

My vacations coincided with my sister's.

Pretérito indefinido, 3rd person plural.

¿Coincidiste con alguien conocido en la fiesta?

Did you run into anyone you knew at the party?

Pretérito indefinido, 2nd person singular.

Nuestros horarios nunca coinciden.

Our schedules never align.

Adverb 'nunca' used with present tense.

Coincidimos en el tren el lunes pasado.

We happened to be on the same train last Monday.

Pretérito indefinido with 'en'.

Ella coincide con su madre en los gustos musicales.

She and her mother share the same musical tastes.

Present tense with 'en'.

Los dos coincidieron en la respuesta correcta.

Both of them agreed on the correct answer.

Pretérito indefinido, 3rd person plural.

Espero que nuestras opiniones coincidan en la reunión.

I hope our opinions align in the meeting.

Present subjunctive after 'esperar que'.

Si coincidiéramos en Madrid, podríamos ir a un museo.

If we were to be in Madrid at the same time, we could go to a museum.

Imperfect subjunctive in a conditional sentence.

Muchos expertos coinciden en que la tecnología es vital.

Many experts agree that technology is vital.

Present tense with 'en que'.

Fue una suerte coincidir contigo en este proyecto.

It was lucky to coincide with you on this project.

Infinitive after 'fue una suerte'.

Nuestras versiones de los hechos no coinciden.

Our versions of the events do not match.

Negative present tense.

Siempre coincidimos en lo mismo: queremos mudarnos.

We always agree on the same thing: we want to move.

Present tense with 'en lo mismo'.

Coincidió que yo también tenía el día libre.

It so happened that I also had the day off.

Pretérito indefinido used impersonally.

Sus intereses coinciden con los de la empresa.

His interests align with those of the company.

Present tense with 'con los de'.

La huelga coincidió con el inicio de las festividades.

The strike coincided with the start of the festivities.

Pretérito indefinido describing historical alignment.

Es difícil hacer coincidir todas las piezas del rompecabezas.

It is difficult to make all the puzzle pieces match.

Causative use with 'hacer'.

Aunque discrepamos en detalles, coincidimos en el fondo.

Although we disagree on details, we agree on the substance.

Contrast between 'discrepar' and 'coincidir'.

No creo que coincidan los resultados de ambos estudios.

I don't think the results of both studies will match.

Present subjunctive after 'no creo que'.

Coincidieron varios factores para que el plan fracasara.

Several factors coincided for the plan to fail.

Pretérito indefinido with multiple subjects.

Me gustaría que coincidiéramos más a menudo.

I would like it if we ran into each other more often.

Imperfect subjunctive after 'me gustaría que'.

Las líneas de su discurso coinciden con la ideología del partido.

The lines of his speech align with the party's ideology.

Metaphorical use of 'líneas'.

Es asombroso cómo coinciden sus trayectorias profesionales.

It's amazing how their professional trajectories align.

Exclamatory sentence with 'cómo'.

Se coincide en señalar que la reforma es insuficiente.

It is generally agreed that the reform is insufficient.

Impersonal 'se' construction.

Sus palabras no coinciden con sus acciones.

His words do not match his actions.

Abstract usage in a moral context.

La publicación del libro coincidió con el centenario del autor.

The publication of the book coincided with the author's centenary.

Formal historical context.

Es imperativo que los objetivos individuales coincidan con los colectivos.

It is imperative that individual goals align with collective ones.

Subjunctive after 'es imperativo que'.

Sus testimonios coinciden plenamente en cada pormenor.

Their testimonies fully agree in every detail.

Use of 'pormenor' (detail) for high register.

No siempre coinciden la legalidad y la justicia.

Legality and justice do not always coincide.

Philosophical usage.

Hacer coincidir la oferta y la demanda es el reto del mercado.

Matching supply and demand is the market's challenge.

Economic context.

Coincidieron en un punto de vista puramente pragmático.

They agreed from a purely pragmatic point of view.

Adverbial phrase 'puramente pragmático'.

La eclosión de este movimiento coincide con una crisis de valores.

The emergence of this movement coincides with a crisis of values.

High-level vocabulary like 'eclosión'.

Es una feliz coincidencia que nuestros destinos se hayan cruzado.

It is a happy coincidence that our destinies have crossed.

Noun form 'coincidencia' with present perfect subjunctive.

Los críticos coinciden en tildar la obra de maestra.

Critics agree in labeling the work as a masterpiece.

Use of 'tildar de' (to label as).

Habría que hacer coincidir los intereses nacionales con los globales.

National interests would have to be aligned with global ones.

Conditional 'habría que' with causative 'hacer'.

La morfología de ambas lenguas coincide en diversos aspectos estructurales.

The morphology of both languages coincides in various structural aspects.

Technical linguistic context.

No es casualidad que sus planteamientos coincidan con los de la escuela clásica.

It is no coincidence that his approaches align with those of the classical school.

Academic register.

Las órbitas de los planetas coincidirán en una alineación poco común.

The orbits of the planets will coincide in a rare alignment.

Future tense in a scientific context.

Coincidieron en el tiempo y el espacio, forjando una alianza histórica.

They coincided in time and space, forging a historical alliance.

Gerund 'forjando' for narrative flow.

Common Collocations

coincidir plenamente

coincidir en el tiempo

hacer coincidir

coincidir por casualidad

coincidir en opinión

coincidir con la realidad

coincidir en el espacio

coincidir en un punto

coincidir con alguien

volver a coincidir

Common Phrases

¡Qué coincidencia!

— What a coincidence! Used when something surprising happens at the same time.

¡Qué coincidencia! Yo también iba a llamarte.

Coincidir en lo fundamental.

— To agree on the basics or the most important parts. Often used in negotiations.

Aunque hay roces, coinciden en lo fundamental.

No coincidir ni en el blanco de los ojos.

— A humorous way to say two people disagree on absolutely everything.

Esos dos no coinciden ni en el blanco de los ojos.

Coincidir en el diagnóstico.

— To agree on the cause of a problem. Used in medical or metaphorical contexts.

Todos los médicos coinciden en el diagnóstico.

Hacer coincidir las fechas.

— To coordinate schedules so that events happen at the same time.

Tenemos que hacer coincidir las fechas del viaje.

Coincidir con el criterio de...

— To agree with the judgment or standard set by someone else.

Coincido con el criterio del juez.

Coincidir en gustos.

— To have the same tastes in music, food, fashion, etc.

Mis padres coinciden en gustos literarios.

Coincidir en la calle.

— To bump into someone while walking outside.

Ayer coincidí con Marta en la calle.

Coincidir en un viaje.

— To happen to be on the same trip or at the same destination as someone else.

Coincidimos en un viaje a Italia el año pasado.

Coincidir en que...

— To agree that... followed by a specific statement.

Coincidimos en que es mejor esperar.

Often Confused With

coincidir vs quedar

Quedar is for planned meetings; coincidir is for unplanned encounters.

coincidir vs acordar

Acordar means to reach an agreement; coincidir means to already have the same view.

coincidir vs encontrar

Encontrar is 'to find'; coincidir is 'to happen to be in the same place'.

Idioms & Expressions

"Coincidir los astros."

— When everything aligns perfectly for something to happen, often by luck.

Tienen que coincidir los astros para que me den el ascenso.

informal

"No coincidir las piezas."

— When things don't make sense or the facts don't add up.

En su historia no coinciden las piezas; miente.

neutral

"Coincidir en el clavo."

— A variation of 'dar en el clavo' (hit the nail on the head), used when an agreement hits the exact point.

Su propuesta coincidió en el clavo con lo que buscábamos.

informal

"Hacer coincidir el hambre con las ganas de comer."

— When two needs or desires meet perfectly, often used for a perfect match of people.

Se casaron pronto; coincidió el hambre con las ganas de comer.

colloquial

"Coincidir en la misma onda."

— To be on the same wavelength.

Desde que nos conocimos, coincidimos en la misma onda.

slang

"Coincidir por un pelo."

— To barely miss or barely meet someone/something by a tiny margin.

No coincidimos por un pelo; ella salió justo cuando yo entraba.

informal

"Coincidir de pleno."

— To agree 100% or to hit something exactly.

Su análisis coincidió de pleno con la realidad del mercado.

neutral

"Coincidir en el tiempo y la forma."

— To happen exactly as and when expected, often in legal or formal contexts.

La entrega debe coincidir en el tiempo y la forma acordados.

formal

"Hacer coincidir las versiones."

— Usually implies a negative connotation, like people trying to align their lies.

Intentaron hacer coincidir las versiones ante la policía.

neutral

"Coincidir en el camino."

— To cross paths in life, metaphorically referring to shared journeys or careers.

Es un placer haber coincidido en el camino contigo.

poetic/formal

Easily Confused

coincidir vs concordar

Both mean to agree or match.

Concordar is more formal and often used for grammatical or data consistency.

El sujeto concuerda con el verbo.

coincidir vs convenir

Sounds like 'convene' or 'agree'.

Convenir usually means 'to be suitable' or 'to agree on a price/term'.

Nos conviene comprarlo ahora.

coincidir vs converger

Describes things coming together.

Converger implies a process of moving toward each other; coincidir is the state of being at the same point.

Nuestros intereses convergen.

coincidir vs corresponder

Means to correspond or match.

Corresponder implies a relationship or obligation between two things.

Este premio le corresponde a ella.

coincidir vs ajustar

Means to fit.

Ajustar is the act of making things match; coincidir is the fact that they do.

Ajustó la puerta para que coincida con el marco.

Sentence Patterns

[Sujeto] coincide con [Sujeto].

Mi perro coincide con el tuyo en el parque.

[Sujeto] coincidió con [Persona] en [Lugar].

Coincidí con Ana en la tienda.

Coincidimos en que [Frase].

Coincidimos en que el examen fue difícil.

Hacer coincidir [A] con [B].

Es difícil hacer coincidir las piezas.

Se coincide en señalar [Sustantivo].

Se coincide en señalar la importancia del arte.

No es casual que [Subjuntivo] coincida con [Sustantivo].

No es casual que su éxito coincida con su esfuerzo.

Espero que [Sujeto] coincidan.

Espero que nuestros gustos coincidan.

Si [Sujeto] coincidieran, [Condicional].

Si las fechas coincidieran, viajaría.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in both spoken and written Spanish.

Common Mistakes

Coincidí a mi amigo. → Coincidí con mi amigo.
You must use 'con' when referring to people you ran into.
Coincido que es tarde. → Coincido en que es tarde.
When followed by a clause, 'coincidir' needs the preposition 'en'.
Nuestros cumpleaños son coincidir. → Nuestros cumpleaños coinciden.
Use the conjugated verb, not the infinitive with 'ser'.
Quedamos ayer por casualidad. → Coincidimos ayer por casualidad.
'Quedar' implies a plan. If it was by chance, use 'coincidir'.
La mapa no coincide. → El mapa no coincide.
This is a gender error, but often happens when focusing on the complex verb.

Tips

Preposition Power

Always remember: Coincidir + CON + Person. Coincidir + EN + Topic. Mastering this will make you sound much more natural.

Beyond 'Agree'

Use 'coincidir' when you want to emphasize that your thoughts matched up independently. It's more sophisticated than 'estar de acuerdo'.

Social Magic

Use 'Coincidí con...' to describe bumping into someone. It sounds less formal than 'me encontré con' and more like a happy accident.

End with a Punch

The stress is on the 'DIR'. Say it like 'coin-see-DEER'. This is the most important part of being understood.

Schedule Coordination

When trying to find a time to meet, ask: '¿Cuándo coinciden nuestros horarios?'. It's a very professional way to start the conversation.

Cultural Nuance

In many cultures, 'coincidir' is a polite way to find common ground without being too pushy about your own opinion.

Academic Flair

Use 'Se coincide en que...' to introduce a widely held belief in your essays. It adds authority to your writing.

Catch the 'Con'

When listening, if you hear 'con' after 'coincidir', get ready to hear a name or a person. If you hear 'en', listen for an idea or a place.

The 'Two Coins' Trick

Remember the mnemonic: Two identical coins 'coincide' when they match. This links the sound and the meaning.

The Causative Form

Master 'hacer coincidir' to talk about 'making things work' or 'lining things up'. It's a very high-level structure.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of two 'coins' that are identical. They 'COIN-cide'. When two things 'coincidir', they are like two identical coins falling into the same slot at the same time.

Visual Association

Imagine two circles on a transparency being slid over each other until they perfectly overlap. That moment of overlap is 'coincidir'.

Word Web

acuerdo tiempo espacio casualidad encuentro opinión agenda datos

Challenge

Try to use 'coincidir' three times today: once for an opinion, once for a schedule, and once for a chance meeting.

Word Origin

Derived from the Medieval Latin 'coincidere', which was formed by combining the prefix 'co-' (together) and 'incidere' (to fall upon, to happen).

Original meaning: To fall together or to happen at the same time.

It belongs to the Romance language family, stemming from Latin roots.

Cultural Context

There are no major sensitivities, but be careful not to use 'coincidir' to imply a conspiracy when you just mean a random event.

English speakers often say 'I agree' for everything. In Spanish, 'coincidir' is a more precise way to say 'we share the same view.'

The concept of 'coincidencia' is a recurring theme in the works of Jorge Luis Borges. In many Spanish telenovelas, a 'coincidencia' is often the catalyst for a major plot twist. The song 'Coincidir' by Alberto Cortez is a famous exploration of the odds of two people meeting in the vastness of time.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Scheduling a meeting

¿Cuándo coinciden nuestras agendas?
No coinciden mis horarios.
Hacer coincidir las citas.
Coincidimos el martes.

Expressing an opinion

Coincido contigo.
Coincidimos en que es caro.
No coincido con esa idea.
Coincidimos plenamente.

Scientific/Data analysis

Los resultados coinciden.
Las cifras no coinciden.
Coincidir con la hipótesis.
Puntos que coinciden.

Social encounters

Coincidimos en el bar.
Fue un gusto coincidir.
Siempre coincidimos aquí.
Coincidí con tu prima.

Geometry/Math

Las líneas coinciden.
Los ángulos coinciden.
Superficies que coinciden.
Coincidir en el eje.

Conversation Starters

"¿Alguna vez has coincidido con alguien famoso por la calle?"

"¿En qué temas sueles coincidir más con tus mejores amigos?"

"¿Es difícil hacer coincidir tus vacaciones con las de tu familia?"

"¿Coincides en que el aprendizaje de idiomas cambia la forma de pensar?"

"¿Qué haces cuando no coincides en nada con un compañero de trabajo?"

Journal Prompts

Describe una vez que coincidiste con alguien en un lugar inesperado. ¿De qué hablaron?

Escribe sobre un tema en el que coincidas plenamente con la opinión pública actual.

¿Cómo intentas hacer coincidir tus metas personales con tus responsabilidades diarias?

Reflexiona sobre una coincidencia que cambió el rumbo de tu vida.

Analiza por qué es importante coincidir en valores fundamentales en una relación de pareja.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, it also means to happen at the same time or to meet someone by chance. For example, 'Coincidí con él en el cine' means I ran into him, not that I agreed with him.

No, it is not reflexive. You do not say 'me coincido'. However, you often use it with 'nosotros' (coincidimos) to describe a mutual situation.

Use 'con' for the person or thing you are aligning with (Coincido con Juan). Use 'en' for the topic or location (Coincidimos en el precio, Coincidimos en Madrid).

No, for a planned date or meeting, use 'quedar'. 'Coincidir' implies the meeting was accidental or a matter of simultaneous timing.

Yes, it is a completely regular -ir verb in all tenses. This makes it very easy to conjugate once you know the pattern.

You use the noun form: '¡Qué coincidencia!'. You can also say '¡Qué casualidad!'.

Yes, in the negative. 'Las piezas no coinciden' means the pieces don't fit or match.

Very much so. It is used to discuss schedules, budgets, and project alignments. 'Nuestros objetivos coinciden' is a common professional phrase.

The most common opposite is 'discrepar' (to disagree/differ) or simply 'no estar de acuerdo'.

The core meanings are the same across the Spanish-speaking world, though the pronunciation of the 'c' differs (s vs th).