Difference between competencia and competición

Question

I used to know this but I forgot. I'm trying to say that a match in fencing is a...Lucha entre dos esgrimidores en una (competition). I sort of remember one being used for informal use, but I don't remember.

Answer 1

James Santiago said:

So, how do you distinguish the other meaning of competencia, which is competence in English? Just by context?

Yes, I suppose so, but I think that it is hard to mistake one for another in a sentence. When it means "competence", it is normally a praise: "Ha mostrado su competencia como ingeniero", but when it is rivalry, you see "hacer la competencia a alguien", "competencia desleal / internacional /...".

Answer 2

lazarus1907 said:

In Spain, for a sport competition (a game, match, etc.) we use "competición". "Competencia" is used when to refer to rivalry, like in business, etc. However, in some countries they also use it for sports (not in Spain).

So, how do you distinguish the other meaning of competencia, which is competence in English? Just by context'

Answer 3

In Spain, for a sport competition (a game, match, etc.) we use "competición".

"Competencia" is used when to refer to rivalry, like in business, etc. However, in some countries they also use it for sport matches (not in Spain).

Answer 4

Since a native speaker has not replied, check these out:

<http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php't=1025546>
<http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php't=337045>