Spanish Verb Competir Conjugation

The Spanish verb competir is a cognate of the English "compete" and typically has the same meaning. In some contexts, it is better translated as "to compare with," "to rival," or "to fight for." Below you'll find tables with the complete conjugation of competir. 

How to Conjugate Competir in Spanish?

Competir is a stem-changing verb, in this case meaning that in some situations the e in the stem becomes an i. The stem always changes when the second syllable is stressed. For example, "I compete" is compito instead of the regular competo.

This change based on stress occurs in most of the indicative present, all of the subjunctive (present and preterite), and most of the imperative (or command) forms.

Additionally, the compet- stem becomes compit- in the third-person indicative preterite and the gerund, even though the change occurs in an unstressed syllable.

All these forms are shown below, along with the forms that follow the regular pattern for -ir verbs—the imperfect indicative, future indicative, and the conditional indicative. The past participle also is regular.

About two dozen verbs follow this pattern. Among the most common are impedir (to prevent), repetir (to repeat), servir (to serve), and vestir (to dress).

Competir Present Indicative

Possible translations for the Spanish present tense include, in addition to "compete," variations such as "is competing" and "does compete."

Competir Preterite

The preterite (sometimes spelled preterit) is the equivalent of the simple past tense in English. It refers to actions that were completed at a definite time.

Imperfect Indicative Form of Competir

The imperfect tense is used for past actions that aren't seen as being complete at a definite time. Common translations are "was/were + verb + -ing" and "used to + verb."

Competir Future Tense

As in English, the future tense of Spanish verbs can be used not only for future actions but also as a type of extremely emphatic command. Thus, for example, competirás can be not just a statement of fact about future competing but also as a way of forcefully telling someone to compete.

Periphrastic Future of Competir

The periphrastic future in Spanish is the equivalent of the "going to + verb" future construction in English. It is less formal than the standard future tense.

Competir Conditional Indicative

Competir Present Progressive/Gerund Form

The Spanish gerund is much like the "-ing" verb form in English. It can be used with estar in forming the progressive or continuous tenses.

Gerund of Competir: compitiendo (competing)

Ella está compitiendo por increíbles premios. 

Past Participle of Competir

Past participles are used with haber in forming the perfect tenses.

Participle of Competir: competido (competed)

Ella ha competido por increíbles premios.

Present Subjunctive of Competir

The subjunctive mood is used considerably more in Spanish than in English. It can be used in dependent clauses, often to indicate reactions to or specify causes for the stated action.

Competir Imperfect Subjunctive

The two choices below are used in the same way, although the first is more common.

Option 1

Option 2

Imperative Forms of Competir

The imperative mood is used for direct commands.

Imperative (Positive Command)

Imperative (Negative Command)