Contrario o Opuesto?

Question

So, I'm having a hard time understanding the difference between "contrario" y "opuesto" and when each one is used.

I'd like to say: What is the opposite of "up"? or What is the opposite of "hard"? When I translate always the word "contrario" is used, can I use the word opuesto?

Crackerjack of a username, btw. - katydew, Sep 9, 2014

Yes, Blue, I agree with Katy great choice of name :) - FELIZ77, Sep 9, 2014

Answer 1

Hello Blue,

Welcome to the Spanish Dict forum

Well, It all really depends on what you want to say. Spanish natives would probably understand what you were trying to say even if you were to use the wrong word provided that you were able to pronounce the words with reasonable clarity and accuracy .

However, natives usually use some words in certain contexts in preference to others:

For example:

1.We set off in opposite directions. = Partimos en direcciones opuestas.

2 My remarks had the opposite effect to that intended. = Mis observaciones tuvieron el efecto contrario o opuesto al deseado.

3 Quite the opposite. = Todo el contrario /al contrario.

4 What is the opposite of hot? = ¿Qué es lo contrario de caliente?

All examples given above courtesy of Oxford SpanishDictionary 4th edn

So Blue, I am sure that you can see these two words like many others , can be used in different ways, and on occasions, interchangeably! You just have to practise and keep practising and persevering, like we all do, and you will begin to notice how the native Spanish speakers use their language.and which words and expressions they use in certain contexts eg: when they use ¿Qué.....? in preference to ¿Cuál ?

eg ¿Qué hora es? =What time is it?

but...¿Cuál es tu color preferido (favorito)? = What is your favourite colour?

I hope this helps

Answer 2

I am not a native speaker. But for your examples I would use opuesto. Pero alguien pueda tener una opinión contrario de mio.