Cuál es más correcto: obscurecer u oscurecer?

Question

I want to know which of the two forma of the verb "darken" in Spanish is the more correct: obscurecer or oscurercer.

Answer 1

The word "oscurecer" is more common, but they are synonyms and both are in the D R A E.

Answer 2

the use is quite clear. even though they may be interchanged.

They are, essentially, the same word. It's just that "obscurecer" is the older form and closer to the Latin. "ob" was a fairly common prefix in Latin. However, as Dakie mentioned, "oscurecer" is easier to pronounce and over time largely replaced the older form.

This sort of thing is not at all uncommon. For example Spanish preserves the 'n' in "inmutable" while English replaces it (assimilates it to the following 'm') with 'm' in "immutable". (In Latin the prefix was "in-".)

Answer 3

I am going to go with "oscurecer" the definition and the use is quite clear. even though they may be interchanged.

Answer 4

Obscurecer is easier to pronounce to me but both are correct.

Answer 5

Some people use "obscurecer" but the correct way is "oscurecer". RAE

Both are correct ale. :) - Dakie, Mar 11, 2011

Answer 6

In Spain the correct is oscurecer. We say: oscuro, oscuramente, oscuridad without "b".

Answer 7

"Cuál es correcto: obscurecer u oscurecer?"

Depends on your audience.

Personally, I would write and say "obscurecer" just like I do "obscura, obscuraciòn, obscuramente, obscuridad, obsequiar, obsequias, obsequio, observable, observación, observador, observadora, observancia"

Answer 8

Obscurecer sólo lo leerás...poco gene lo utiliza.

Answer 9

Both forms are correct.

'Obscurecer' is more literary