concurrir in 30 Seconds
- Concurrir means to compete or participate in an event.
- Used for contests, sports, exhibitions, and formal gatherings.
- Implies active involvement, not just attendance.
- Common in formal contexts like news and official announcements.
- Core Meaning
- The verb 'concurrir' fundamentally means to come together, to meet, or to assemble in one place. However, its most common and practical usage, especially at a B1 CEFR level, relates to participating in an event, a competition, or a contest. Think of it as 'to take part in' or 'to enter' something where others are also involved.
- Contexts of Use
- You'll frequently encounter 'concurrir' in contexts involving:
- Competitions and Contests: Athletes concurrir in sports events, artists concurrir in exhibitions, or students concurrir in academic challenges.
- Meetings and Assemblies: Although less common at B1, it can refer to people gathering for a formal meeting or assembly.
- Events and Gatherings: Similar to meetings, it can describe people attending a specific event, like a conference or a festival.
- Legal or Official Settings: In more formal contexts, it can mean to agree or to coincide with a legal decision or a fact. However, for B1 learners, focus on the participation aspect.
- Nuance: Participation vs. Attendance
- While 'asistir' also means to attend, 'concurrir' implies a more active involvement or participation, especially in a competitive or event-driven scenario. If you are simply present at a lecture, you 'asistes'. If you are presenting your research at that same lecture, you might 'concurres' as a presenter. In a race, everyone who runs 'concurre'.
Los mejores atletas del país concurren en esta maratón internacional.
Muchos artistas jóvenes concurrieron a la exposición de arte local.
- Formal vs. Informal
- 'Concurrir' leans towards more formal or official language, especially when referring to competitions or official gatherings. While you might hear it in news reports about events, it's less common in very casual, everyday chat among close friends unless discussing a specific organized event they are both involved in.
- Verb Conjugation
- 'Concurrir' is an -ir verb. Its conjugation follows the pattern of verbs like 'partir' or 'abrir'. The present indicative forms are: yo concurro, tú concurres, él/ella/usted concurre, nosotros/nosotras concurrimos, vosotros/vosotras concurrís, ellos/ellas/ustedes concurren. The past tense (preterite) is also important: yo concurrí, tú concurriste, él/ella/usted concurrió, etc.
- Present Indicative - Ongoing Participation
- Use the present indicative to talk about events or competitions that are happening now or regularly, and where people are currently participating. This is a very common usage for 'concurrir'.
Miles de corredores concurren cada año en la maratón de Nueva York.
- Preterite Indicative - Past Participation
- When you want to talk about a specific event in the past where people participated, use the preterite tense. This is crucial for describing past competitions or events.
En 2022, muchos equipos de fútbol concurrieron al campeonato regional.
- Future Indicative - Future Participation
- To talk about future events where participation is expected, use the future tense. This is useful for planning or anticipating events.
El próximo año, esperamos que más estudiantes concurran al concurso de ciencias.
- Subjunctive Mood - Hypothetical or Desired Participation
- The subjunctive is used in clauses expressing desire, doubt, or possibility, often after expressions like 'para que', 'a fin de que', 'antes de que', or in conditional sentences. It's for when participation is not a certainty but a goal or a possibility.
Queremos que todos los equipos concurran a la ceremonia de apertura.
- Sports News and Reporting
- You will very commonly hear 'concurrir' in sports commentary and news reports. When discussing major sporting events like the Olympics, World Cup, or major marathons, journalists and commentators use 'concurrir' to describe athletes participating. For example, 'Los mejores nadadores concurrieron a las pruebas olímpicas' (The best swimmers competed in the Olympic trials). This highlights the competitive aspect of the word.
- Cultural and Artistic Event Announcements
- When announcing or reporting on art exhibitions, music festivals, film competitions, or literary contests, 'concurrir' is frequently used. It signifies that artists, musicians, filmmakers, or writers are submitting their work or performing. For instance, 'Decenas de cineastas concurrieron al festival de cine independiente' (Dozens of filmmakers took part in the independent film festival). This emphasizes participation in a creative event.
- Academic and Educational Contexts
- In educational settings, particularly for higher levels or specific competitions, 'concurrir' can be heard. This might be for academic competitions, science fairs, or even university-level debates where students actively participate. An announcement might say, 'Se espera que miles de estudiantes concurran a las olimpiadas académicas' (Thousands of students are expected to compete in the academic olympiads).
- Formal Announcements and Official Websites
- Official invitations, press releases, and websites for major events, competitions, or conferences often use 'concurrir' to indicate who is invited to participate or who is expected to attend in a participatory capacity. For example, 'Invitamos a expertos de todo el mundo a concurrir a nuestro simposio' (We invite experts from around the world to participate in our symposium).
- Legal and Bureaucratic Language (Less Common at B1)
- While less common for B1 learners, 'concurrir' can also appear in legal or bureaucratic contexts, meaning to agree, to coincide, or to be present for a legal proceeding. For instance, 'El demandado debe concurrir a la audiencia' (The defendant must attend the hearing). However, for everyday learning, focus on the competition/event participation meaning.
El noticiero deportivo informó cuántos atletas concurrieron a la ceremonia de inauguración.
Los organizadores esperan que más de mil pintores concurran al concurso nacional de arte.
- Confusing with 'Asistir' (To Attend)
- The most frequent mistake is using 'concurrir' when 'asistir' is more appropriate, or vice-versa. 'Asistir' simply means to be present at an event. 'Concurrir' implies a more active participation, often in a competitive context. If you are just going to watch a play, you 'asistes'. If you are performing in the play, you 'concurres'. If you are a spectator at a race, you 'asistes'; if you are running the race, you 'concurres'.
Incorrecto: Yo concurrí a la conferencia para escuchar.
Correcto: Yo asistí a la conferencia para escuchar.
- Overuse in Casual Conversation
- 'Concurrir' is generally considered more formal. Using it in very casual, everyday conversations where simpler verbs like 'participar' or even 'ir' (to go) would suffice can sound unnatural or overly formal. For instance, instead of 'Mis amigos y yo concurrimos a la fiesta', it's more natural to say 'Mis amigos y yo fuimos a la fiesta' or 'Mis amigos y yo participamos en la fiesta' if there was an organized activity within the party.
Informal: Los niños concurrieron al parque para jugar.
Más natural: Los niños fueron al parque para jugar.
- Incorrect Verb Conjugation
- As with any verb, learners can make mistakes with conjugation. For example, confusing the first-person singular 'concurro' with 'concurro' or making errors in the preterite tense like 'concurrió' vs. 'concurrió'. Remembering that it's an -ir verb and following the standard conjugation patterns is key.
Error: Yo concurrimos a la competición.
Correcto: Yo concurro a la competición.
- Asistir (To Attend)
- Concurrir: Implies active participation, often in a competition or organized event. Requires more involvement.
Asistir: Means to be present at an event, to attend. It's passive. You can 'asistir' to a concert as a spectator, but you 'concurres' if you are one of the performers.
Example: 'Ella asistió a la obra de teatro.' (She attended the play.) vs. 'Ella concurrió al concurso de canto como participante.' (She competed in the singing contest as a participant.) - Participar (To Participate)
- Concurrir: Often used for formal competitions or events with many participants. Can imply a competitive element.
Participar: A more general term for taking part in any activity, event, or discussion. It's broader and less formal than 'concurrir'.
Example: 'Todos los estudiantes deben participar en el debate.' (All students must participate in the debate.) vs. 'Los mejores estudiantes concurrieron al debate final por el premio.' (The best students competed in the final debate for the prize.) - Tomar parte en (To take part in)
- Concurrir: More specific to formal contests or events where there's a defined structure and potentially prizes.
Tomar parte en: Similar to 'participar', it's a general phrase for involvement in an activity or event. It's quite common and versatile.
Example: 'Mi equipo tomó parte en el torneo de ajedrez.' (My team took part in the chess tournament.) This is a good alternative for 'concurrir' in many contexts. - Competir (To Compete)
- Concurrir: Often implies competing, especially in sports or contests.
Competir: Specifically means to strive to win against others. It's a direct synonym for the competitive aspect of 'concurrir'.
Example: 'Los atletas compiten por las medallas.' (The athletes compete for the medals.) 'Concurrir' can be used here, 'Los atletas concurren por las medallas.' but 'competir' is more direct about the act of rivalry. - Presentarse (To present oneself, to show up)
- Concurrir: Used for participation in events/competitions.
Presentarse: Can mean to show up for an event or an appointment, or to submit oneself for consideration. In the context of a competition, 'presentarse' can mean to register or show up to compete.
Example: 'Me presenté al casting para la obra de teatro.' (I showed up for the casting for the play.) This is similar to arriving to compete.
How Formal Is It?
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Fun Fact
The root 'currere' (to run) is found in many English words like 'current', 'career', 'course', and 'courier', all related to the idea of movement or flow.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing the 'c' as 'k' instead of 's' before 'i' and 'e' (though in 'concurrir' it's a 'k' sound before 'u').
- Not rolling the 'r' at the end of the word.
- Incorrectly placing the stress on a different syllable.
- Pronouncing the 'u' as in 'cut' instead of 'pool'.
Difficulty Rating
At B1 level, understanding 'concurrir' in written texts related to events and competitions is generally achievable. The main challenge is distinguishing it from 'asistir' and recognizing its slightly more formal tone. Texts discussing sports, festivals, or official announcements are good practice.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Verb Conjugation of -ir verbs
'Concurrir' is a regular -ir verb. Its present indicative conjugation is: yo concurro, tú concurres, él/ella/usted concurre, nosotros/nosotras concurrimos, vosotros/vosotras concurrís, ellos/ellas/ustedes concurren. The preterite tense follows the pattern: concurrí, concurriste, concurrió, concurrimos, concurristeis, concurrieron.
Prepositions with 'concurrir'
'Concurrir' is often followed by the preposition 'a' (concurrir a un evento) or 'en' (concurrir en una categoría). It can also be followed by 'con' (concurrir con alguien).
Subjunctive Mood Usage
The subjunctive is used after expressions of desire, doubt, or emotion when referring to participation. For example: 'Espero que concurras al concurso.' (I hope you compete in the contest.)
Distinction between 'concurrir' and 'asistir'
'Concurrir' implies active participation, while 'asistir' means to attend. 'Asistí al concierto' (I attended the concert) vs. 'Concurrí al concurso de canto' (I competed in the singing contest).
Use of 'concurrir' in formal contexts
In formal announcements or news reports, 'concurrir' is preferred over more informal verbs when referring to participation in official events or competitions.
Examples by Level
Los niños concurren a la fiesta de cumpleaños.
Children attend/participate in the birthday party.
Simple present tense, common context for events.
Mi hermano concurre a un concurso de canto.
My brother participates/competes in a singing contest.
Simple present tense, emphasizing competition.
Muchos amigos concurrieron a la boda.
Many friends attended/participated in the wedding.
Preterite tense, referring to a past event.
Ellos concurren a la reunión del club.
They attend/participate in the club meeting.
Simple present tense, for organized gatherings.
La próxima semana, más personas concurrirán al evento.
Next week, more people will participate/attend the event.
Future tense, for upcoming events.
El equipo concurrió al partido con entusiasmo.
The team participated/competed in the match with enthusiasm.
Preterite tense, for past sports events.
Los estudiantes concurren a la feria de ciencias.
The students participate in the science fair.
Simple present tense, for academic events.
Ella concurre a clases de baile.
She attends/participates in dance classes.
Simple present tense, for regular activities.
Los mejores nadadores del país concurren a las pruebas olímpicas.
The country's best swimmers compete in the Olympic trials.
Present indicative, common for sports news.
Decenas de artistas concurrieron al festival de arte contemporáneo.
Dozens of artists participated in the contemporary art festival.
Preterite indicative, for past cultural events.
El próximo año, más equipos concursarán en el torneo de fútbol.
Next year, more teams will compete in the football tournament.
Future indicative, for upcoming competitions.
Los organizadores esperan que muchos cineastas concurran al festival.
The organizers hope that many filmmakers will participate in the festival.
Present subjunctive, expressing hope for participation.
Los participantes concursaron en varias categorías.
The participants competed in various categories.
Preterite indicative, detailing past event structure.
Ella concurre a clases de cerámica avanzada.
She takes part in advanced pottery classes.
Present indicative, for specialized classes.
El comité se reunió para decidir quiénes concursarían.
The committee met to decide who would compete.
Imperfect subjunctive (concursarían), referring to a future decision in the past.
A pesar de la lluvia, muchos corredores concursaron en la maratón.
Despite the rain, many runners competed in the marathon.
Preterite indicative, highlighting resilience in participation.
Se espera que un número récord de empresas concurran a la feria tecnológica.
A record number of companies are expected to participate in the technology fair.
Future indicative with 'esperar que', expressing expectation.
Los estudiantes que concurrieron al debate obtuvieron excelentes calificaciones.
The students who participated in the debate received excellent grades.
Preterite indicative, describing past participants and their outcome.
La organización busca que más voluntarios concurran a la próxima campaña.
The organization seeks for more volunteers to participate in the next campaign.
Present subjunctive, expressing a goal or desire for participation.
El jurado deliberó sobre los proyectos que concursaron.
The jury deliberated on the projects that competed.
Preterite indicative, referring to submitted projects in a competition.
A fin de que más jóvenes se interesen, el concurso permitirá la participación en línea.
So that more young people become interested, the contest will allow online participation.
Present subjunctive ('concurran' implied after 'participación'), used with 'a fin de que' to express purpose.
El atleta, tras lesionarse, no pudo concurrir a la final.
The athlete, after getting injured, could not participate in the final.
Preterite indicative, indicating inability to participate due to circumstances.
Si todos los candidatos concurrieran a la entrevista, la selección sería más fácil.
If all the candidates participated in the interview, the selection would be easier.
Imperfect subjunctive, in a hypothetical conditional sentence.
La compañía ha decidido que sus empleados concurran a seminarios de formación.
The company has decided that its employees will attend training seminars.
Present indicative after 'decidido que', indicating a decision for future participation.
El foro internacional congregará a líderes mundiales para debatir sobre el cambio climático, y se espera que miles de expertos concurran.
The international forum will bring together world leaders to debate climate change, and thousands of experts are expected to participate.
Present indicative, used with 'esperar que' for a formal prediction.
Los críticos gastronómicos concursaron en el evento culinario, evaluando cada plato presentado.
The food critics participated in the culinary event, evaluating each presented dish.
Preterite indicative, for a specific past event involving evaluation.
Se implementarán nuevas medidas para que más pequeñas empresas concurran a las licitaciones públicas.
New measures will be implemented so that more small businesses participate in public tenders.
Present subjunctive, with 'para que' to express a goal.
A pesar de las dificultades logísticas, la mayoría de los artistas concursaron en la Bienal.
Despite the logistical difficulties, the majority of artists participated in the Biennial.
Preterite indicative, highlighting participation despite challenges.
El gobierno instó a los ciudadanos a concurrir a las urnas para ejercer su derecho al voto.
The government urged citizens to go to the polls to exercise their right to vote.
Present infinitive used impersonally after 'instó a', a formal call to action.
La plataforma online permite que artistas de todo el mundo concurran al certamen de fotografía.
The online platform allows artists from all over the world to participate in the photography contest.
Present subjunctive, following 'permite que' to indicate a possibility.
Si los fondos hubieran sido suficientes, más proyectos habrían concursado.
If the funds had been sufficient, more projects would have competed.
Pluperfect subjunctive, in a past counterfactual conditional sentence.
El director aseguró que todos los empleados concurrirían a la capacitación obligatoria.
The director assured that all employees would attend the mandatory training.
Future subjunctive (concurrirían), used in reported speech about a future event.
La magnitud del evento deportivo exigió la concurrencia de miles de voluntarios y personal de apoyo.
The magnitude of the sporting event required the participation/attendance of thousands of volunteers and support staff.
Uses the noun form 'concurrencia' (participation/attendance) derived from 'concurrir'.
Los historiadores debaten si la concurrencia de tantas potencias en la conferencia fue un signo de unidad o de tensión latente.
Historians debate whether the coming together/participation of so many powers at the conference was a sign of unity or latent tension.
Noun 'concurrencia' used to describe the assembly of significant entities.
Se especula que la empresa tecnológica principal no concurrirá a la feria este año debido a problemas de producción.
It is speculated that the main technology company will not participate in the fair this year due to production issues.
Present subjunctive used after 'se especula que' to express uncertainty about future participation.
La normativa busca fomentar que un mayor número de pymes concurran a las subvenciones europeas.
The regulation aims to encourage a greater number of SMEs to apply for/participate in European subsidies.
Present subjunctive, used with 'fomentar que' to express encouragement for participation.
El éxito del programa se atribuye a la alta tasa de participación, donde jóvenes de diversas procedencias concurrieron activamente.
The program's success is attributed to the high participation rate, where young people from diverse backgrounds actively took part.
Preterite indicative, describing active participation of a diverse group.
La corte requirió que todas las partes interesadas concurrieran a la audiencia para presentar sus alegatos.
The court required all interested parties to attend the hearing to present their arguments.
Imperfect subjunctive (concurrieran), used after 'requirió que' in a formal legal context.
Aun cuando la competencia fue feroz, la mayoría de los participantes concurrieron con espíritu deportivo.
Even though the competition was fierce, most participants competed with a sporting spirit.
Preterite indicative, emphasizing sportsmanship during competition.
La inclusión de nuevas tecnologías permitió que más artistas emergentes concurrieran al certamen internacional.
The inclusion of new technologies allowed more emerging artists to participate in the international contest.
Preterite indicative, showing how technology facilitated participation.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— To participate in a sporting event.
Los atletas de élite concurren a los Juegos Olímpicos cada cuatro años.
— To enter a talent show.
Muchos jóvenes concursaron en el programa de televisión para mostrar sus habilidades.
— To exhibit artwork or participate in an art exhibition.
Los artistas emergentes concursaron con sus obras más recientes.
— To take part in an academic competition.
Los estudiantes más brillantes concursaron en la olimpiada de matemáticas.
— To participate in a presentation (often as a speaker or demonstrator).
Los expertos concursaron en la conferencia para compartir sus investigaciones.
— To vote; to participate in the act of voting.
El gobierno animó a todos los ciudadanos a concurrir a las urnas.
— To audition; to present oneself for consideration in a performance or role.
Se presentaron miles de aspirantes para concursar en la nueva película.
— To participate in a festival.
Bandas de todo el mundo concursaron en el festival de música.
— To bid on a tender; to participate in a bidding process.
Las empresas interesadas deben concurrir a la licitación pública.
— To participate in a protest.
Ciudadanos de todas las edades concurrieron a la protesta para exigir cambios.
Often Confused With
'Asistir' means to attend or be present. 'Concurrir' means to participate actively, often in a competitive context. You 'asistes' as a spectator, but 'concurres' as a participant.
'Participar' is a broader term for taking part in any activity. 'Concurrir' is often more specific to formal events, competitions, or gatherings where multiple individuals come together.
'Competir' specifically means to strive to win against others. 'Concurrir' often implies competition but can also mean simply participating in an event.
Idioms & Expressions
— To make a mistake; to commit an error. This usage is more formal and less common than 'cometer un error'.
El testigo concurrió en un error al recordar la fecha del incidente.
Formal— To agree with someone; to coincide in opinion. This is a more formal way of saying 'estar de acuerdo'.
En este punto, concurro contigo plenamente.
Formal— To share expenses; to contribute to costs.
Los socios concurrieron en los gastos de la nueva oficina.
Formal— To show up for an appointment or meeting. Similar to 'asistir a la cita' but can imply a more active engagement.
Es importante concurrir a la cita médica a tiempo.
Neutral/Formal— To respond to a call or summons, often in a formal or urgent context.
El ejército concurrió a la llamada del deber.
Formal— To be truthful; to align with the truth.
El acusado prometió concurrir con la verdad durante el juicio.
Formal— To share the same opinion; to agree.
Ambos expertos concurrieron en la misma opinión sobre la política económica.
Formal— To contribute to or help find a solution.
Todos los miembros del equipo concurrieron en la solución del problema.
Formal— To coincide on a date; to fall on the same date.
Nuestra fiesta de aniversario concurre en la misma fecha que la suya.
Neutral— To contribute to a payment; to share the cost of a payment.
Los hermanos concurrieron en el pago de la hipoteca de sus padres.
FormalEasily Confused
Both verbs relate to being at an event.
'Asistir' means to attend or be present, focusing on the act of being there. 'Concurrir' implies active participation, often in a competitive or organized capacity. For example, you 'asistes' to a concert as a spectator, but you 'concurres' to a singing contest as a performer.
Yo asistí al concierto, pero mi hermano concurrió al concurso de canto.
Both involve taking part in something.
'Participar' is a general term for taking part in any activity, discussion, or event. 'Concurrir' is often used for more formal events, competitions, or gatherings where people come together with a specific purpose, often competitive. 'Concurrir' can sometimes suggest a greater degree of formality or a larger scale event.
Todos pueden participar en la discusión. Solo los mejores concursarán en la final.
Both can involve rivalry and striving for a goal.
'Competir' specifically focuses on the act of striving to win against others. 'Concurrir' often includes this competitive element but can also simply mean to take part in an organized event or gathering where others are present. 'Concurrir' can be broader than just direct competition.
Los atletas compiten por medallas. Los equipos concurren al torneo.
It's a phrase that also means to participate.
'Tomar parte en' is a very common and versatile phrase meaning 'to take part in'. It's a good synonym for 'participar' and often interchangeable with 'concurrir' in less formal contexts. 'Concurrir' can sometimes imply a more official or structured event.
Mi equipo tomó parte en el torneo. Mi equipo concurrió al torneo.
Can mean to enter an event or competition.
'Entrar en' is a more informal way to say 'to enter' or 'to participate in' a competition or event. 'Concurrir' is generally more formal and used for established events or contests.
Mi hermano entró en el concurso de dibujo. Mi hermano concurrió al concurso de dibujo.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + concurrir + a + [Noun: Event/Competition]
Los nadadores concurrieron a la piscina para la competencia.
Subject + concurrir + en + [Noun: Category/Aspect]
Los artistas concursaron en la categoría de pintura.
Subject + concurrir + a + [Noun: Meeting/Assembly]
Los miembros concurrieron a la asamblea general.
Subject + concurrir + a + [Noun: Call to action, e.g., votación]
Se espera que los ciudadanos concurran a la votación.
Subject + concurrir + con + [Noun: Opinion/Error]
El experto concurrió con la mayoría en su análisis.
Subject + concurrir + con + [Person]
En este punto, yo concurro contigo.
Subject + concurrir + a + [Noun: Exhibition/Fair]
Empresas de tecnología concurren a la feria anual.
Subject + concurrir + a + [Noun: Audition/Casting]
Actores jóvenes concurren a la audición para la obra.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
Medium to High, especially in contexts related to events and competitions.
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Using 'concurrir' for passive attendance.
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Using 'asistir' for passive attendance.
'Concurrir' implies active participation, often in a competition or organized event. 'Asistir' simply means to attend or be present. If you are just watching a play, you 'asistes'. If you are performing in it, you 'concurres'.
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Using 'concurrir' in very informal situations.
→
Using simpler verbs like 'ir', 'asistir', or 'participar' in informal settings.
'Concurrir' is generally more formal. Using it in casual chat about a party or a casual gathering can sound overly formal or unnatural. Stick to 'ir' or 'asistir' for informal events.
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Incorrect conjugation, especially with the preterite tense.
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Correct conjugation following regular -ir verb patterns.
Learners might confuse the endings or the stem changes (though 'concurrir' is regular). For instance, saying 'yo concuré' instead of 'yo concurrí' (preterite).
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Confusing 'concurrir' with the English word 'concur'.
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Understanding that 'concurrir' in Spanish means to participate/compete, while 'concur' in English means to agree.
The English word 'concur' means to agree. The Spanish 'concurrir' has a different primary meaning. While 'concurrir con alguien' can mean to agree, the main sense of 'concurrir' is about participation in events.
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Using 'concurrir' when 'competir' is more precise.
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Using 'competir' when the emphasis is solely on the act of rivalry.
'Concurrir' often implies competition, but 'competir' is more specific. If the main point is the rivalry, 'competir' might be a clearer choice. For example, 'Los atletas compiten en la final' is more direct than 'Los atletas concurren a la final' if the focus is on the rivalry itself.
Tips
Focus on Participation
Remember that 'concurrir' emphasizes active participation, not just passive attendance. Think of it as 'taking part in' or 'competing in' rather than simply 'going to'.
'Concurrir' vs. 'Asistir'
Always consider the nuance. If you are a spectator, use 'asistir'. If you are a participant or competitor, 'concurrir' is often the better choice, especially in formal settings.
Adjust for Formality
'Concurrir' is generally more formal than verbs like 'participar' or 'entrar'. Use it in contexts like news reports, official announcements, or discussions about significant events.
Recognize Related Forms
Be aware of the noun 'concurrencia' (participation/attendance/crowd) and the adjective/noun 'concurrente' (participant/competitor), as they are derived from the same verb and share the core meaning.
Use 'Participar' as a Safe Bet
If you are unsure whether 'concurrir' is appropriate, 'participar' is often a good and widely understood alternative for taking part in an event.
Master the Stress
The stress in 'concurrir' falls on the last syllable: concurRÍR. Practice saying it to ensure correct pronunciation.
Regular -ir Verb Pattern
'Concurrir' follows the standard conjugation pattern for regular -ir verbs. Focus on memorizing the present, preterite, and future tenses.
Common Pairings
Learn common phrases like 'concurrir a un evento', 'concurrir a una competición', and 'concurrir a una reunión' to understand its typical usage.
Active Recall
Try to actively use 'concurrir' in your own sentences, describing events you've attended or competitions you've seen reported on.
Root Meaning
Remembering that 'concurrir' comes from Latin 'concurrere' (to run together) can help reinforce the idea of people coming together for an event.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a group of runners all 'running together' ('con-currere') towards the finish line of a race. They are 'concurring' in the race. Think of the 'coo' sound in 'concurrir' like the 'coo' of pigeons gathering together.
Visual Association
Picture a large stadium filled with athletes all arriving at the same time for the opening ceremony of the Olympics. They are all 'concurring' to the event. Or, visualize a group of artists all bringing their paintings to the same gallery for an exhibition.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to use 'concurrir' in three sentences describing different types of events: a sports competition, an art exhibition, and a formal meeting. Make sure to conjugate the verb correctly for each sentence.
Word Origin
The word 'concurrir' comes from the Latin verb 'concurrere'. This Latin verb is formed by the prefix 'con-' (meaning 'together' or 'with') and the verb 'currere' (meaning 'to run').
Original meaning: Literally, 'concurrere' meant 'to run together', 'to assemble', or 'to meet'. This original sense of coming together physically is still present in some uses of the Spanish word, though the meaning of participating in events has become more prominent.
Indo-European > Italic > Latin > Romance > SpanishCultural Context
The term 'concurrir' is generally neutral and does not carry any negative connotations. Its formality might make it less suitable for very casual chat, but it's widely accepted in most contexts related to events and competitions.
In English, we often use phrases like 'to compete in', 'to take part in', 'to enter', or 'to participate in' for similar situations. The direct translation 'to concur' in English has a different meaning (to agree).
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Sports events and competitions
- concurrir a la maratón
- concurrir a la final
- concurrir a las pruebas olímpicas
- los atletas concurren
- los equipos concurren
Artistic and cultural festivals/exhibitions
- concurrir al festival
- concurrir a la exposición
- los artistas concurren
- concurrir a un certamen de arte
Academic competitions and fairs
- concurrir a la feria de ciencias
- concurrir a las olimpiadas académicas
- los estudiantes concursan
- concurrir a un debate
Formal meetings and assemblies
- concurrir a la reunión
- concurrir a la asamblea
- los miembros concurren
- concurrir a la junta
Civic duties (voting)
- concurrir a las urnas
- concurrir a la votación
- los ciudadanos concurren
Conversation Starters
"¿Has concurrido alguna vez a un evento deportivo importante?"
"¿Qué tipo de concursos te gustaría concurrir en el futuro?"
"¿Crees que es importante concurrir a las reuniones de tu comunidad?"
"¿Qué diferencia encuentras entre 'concurrir' y 'asistir'?"
"¿Te gustaría concurrir a un festival de música internacional?"
Journal Prompts
Describe un evento al que hayas concurrido y cómo fue tu experiencia.
Imagina que concursas en una competencia de tus sueños. ¿Cuál sería y por qué?
Escribe sobre la importancia de la participación ciudadana, usando la palabra 'concurrir'.
Compara una situación en la que 'concurriste' con una en la que solo 'asististe'.
Reflexiona sobre los beneficios de concurrir a eventos culturales o educativos.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsThe main difference lies in the level of involvement. 'Asistir' means to attend or be present at an event, like a spectator. 'Concurrir', on the other hand, implies active participation, especially in competitions, contests, or organized gatherings. You 'asistes' to a concert, but you 'concurres' to a singing contest as a participant.
While technically possible, 'concurrir' is generally considered more formal. For informal parties, it's more natural to use verbs like 'ir' (to go) or 'asistir' (if it's a structured party). You might use 'concurrir' if the party had a specific organized activity or competition within it that you were participating in.
Common synonyms include 'participar' (to participate), 'competir' (to compete), and the phrase 'tomar parte en' (to take part in). 'Asistir' is related but means to attend passively.
'Concurrir' is most frequently used in contexts related to competitions (sports, academic, artistic), formal events, exhibitions, conferences, and sometimes official meetings or civic duties like voting.
No, 'concurrir' is a regular -ir verb. Its conjugation follows the standard patterns for verbs ending in -ir, making it relatively straightforward to learn once you grasp the basic conjugation rules for this verb type.
Yes, 'concurrir' can be used in legal contexts, often meaning to attend a hearing or to agree with a legal decision. For example, 'El acusado debe concurrir a la audiencia.' (The defendant must attend the hearing.) However, for B1 learners, the primary focus is on its meaning related to events and competitions.
The main noun form is 'concurrencia', which can mean participation, attendance, or a crowd/gathering of people. Another related noun is 'concurrente', which refers to a participant or competitor.
Use 'concurrir' when the event has a sense of formality, competition, or when multiple entities are coming together for a specific, often structured, purpose. 'Participar' is more general and can be used for almost any kind of involvement.
Not always, but it very often does. It implies active involvement in an event where others are also involved. While it can refer to a formal meeting or exhibition, the sense of 'coming together' often carries an undertone of shared purpose or activity, which can include competition.
Yes, you can use the present tense of 'concurrir' to describe events happening now. For example, 'Los atletas concurren a la carrera.' (The athletes are competing in the race.)
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Summary
Use 'concurrir' when you mean to actively participate in an organized event, competition, or contest, especially in formal or semi-formal settings.
- Concurrir means to compete or participate in an event.
- Used for contests, sports, exhibitions, and formal gatherings.
- Implies active involvement, not just attendance.
- Common in formal contexts like news and official announcements.
Focus on Participation
Remember that 'concurrir' emphasizes active participation, not just passive attendance. Think of it as 'taking part in' or 'competing in' rather than simply 'going to'.
'Concurrir' vs. 'Asistir'
Always consider the nuance. If you are a spectator, use 'asistir'. If you are a participant or competitor, 'concurrir' is often the better choice, especially in formal settings.
Adjust for Formality
'Concurrir' is generally more formal than verbs like 'participar' or 'entrar'. Use it in contexts like news reports, official announcements, or discussions about significant events.
Recognize Related Forms
Be aware of the noun 'concurrencia' (participation/attendance/crowd) and the adjective/noun 'concurrente' (participant/competitor), as they are derived from the same verb and share the core meaning.
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