Meaning and behavior
What does desafiar mean?
Desafiar means to challenge (in a competition). VerbyGo classifies it as an irregular -AR verb. It is non-reflexive.
to defy, to challenge (e.g. parents, a leader, the status quo); to brave.
Build from reliable parts
Principal forms
- Infinitive
- desafiar
- Gerund
- desafiando
- Past participle
- desafiado
Verified irregular pattern
How this verb behaves
Its forms differ from a fully regular -ar pattern in the present.
Conjugation guide
Present forms
Present forms
Present
Use the present forms of desafiar for current situations, routines and actions that happen regularly.
| Subject | Desafiar |
|---|---|
| yo | desafío |
| tú | desafías |
| él / ella / usted | desafía |
| nosotros / nosotras | desafiamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | desafiáis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | desafían |
Conjugation guide
Past forms
Past forms
Preterite
Use the preterite when the action of desafiar is presented as completed in the past.
| Subject | Desafiar |
|---|---|
| yo | desafié |
| tú | desafiaste |
| él / ella / usted | desafió |
| nosotros / nosotras | desafiamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | desafiasteis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | desafiaron |
Past forms
Imperfect past
Use the imperfect for repeated or ongoing past uses of desafiar, or for background information.
| Subject | Desafiar |
|---|---|
| yo | desafiaba |
| tú | desafiabas |
| él / ella / usted | desafiaba |
| nosotros / nosotras | desafiábamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | desafiabais |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | desafiaban |
Conjugation guide
Future and conditional
Future and conditional
Simple future
Use the future forms of desafiar for predictions, promises and future statements.
| Subject | Desafiar |
|---|---|
| yo | desafiaré |
| tú | desafiarás |
| él / ella / usted | desafiará |
| nosotros / nosotras | desafiaremos |
| vosotros / vosotras | desafiaréis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | desafiarán |
Verified context
Examples with desafiar
Desafié a Tom a una carrera.
I challenged Tom to a race.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FREllos desafiaron las leyes del rey.
They defied the laws of the king.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FRTom desafió a Mary a una partida de ajedrez.
Tom challenged Mary to a game of chess.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FR
Quick answers
Desafiar FAQ
What does desafiar mean?
Desafiar means to challenge (in a competition).
Is desafiar regular or irregular?
Desafiar is a irregular -AR verb.
What is the gerund of desafiar?
The gerund of desafiar is desafiando.
What is the past participle of desafiar?
The past participle of desafiar is desafiado.
How is desafiar conjugated in the present?
The verified public subject set is desafío, desafías, desafía, desafiamos, desafían.
How is desafiar conjugated in the preterite?
The verified public subject set is desafié, desafiaste, desafió, desafiamos, desafiaron.
Created by Alejandro Ruiz, an experienced Spanish tutor.