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"Concurso" is a noun which is often translated as "competition", and "certamen" is a noun which is also often translated as "competition". Learn more about the difference between "concurso" and "certamen" below.
el concurso(
kohn
-
koor
-
soh
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
1. (tournament)
a. competition
El concurso estuvo muy reñido debido a la alta calidad de las entradas presentadas.The competition was really tight due to the high quality of the submitted entries.
b. contest
Se presentó a un concurso de imitadores de Elvis Presley y lo ganó.He took part in an Elvis Presley impersonators contest and won it.
2. (offer)
a. tender
Han salido a concurso las obras de remodelación de la plaza.The works for the square's remodeling have been put out to tender.
3. (exam)
a. open competition
Más de 3,000 personas se presentarán a un concurso destinado a cubrir siete plazas.More than 3,000 people will take part in an open competition for seven posts.
a. coincidence
La fosilización precisa del concurso de varias circunstancias.Fossilization requires the coincidence of several circumstances.
5. (help)
a. cooperation
Para ello, hemos contado con el concurso de profesionales especializados.To that end, we have had the cooperation of specialized professionals.
el certamen(
sehr
-
tah
-
mehn
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
1. (general)
a. competition
Me presenté al certamen de fotografía pero no gané ningún premio.I entered the photography competition, but I didn't win any prizes.
Si los jueces hubieran sido justos, Rita habría ganado el certamen.If the judges had been fair, Rita would've won the competition.
b. contest
Ganó el certamen de belleza Miss Universo en 1992.She won the Miss Universe beauty contest in 1992.
