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"Contra" is a form of "contra", a preposition which is often translated as "against". "Chocar con" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to collide with". Learn more about the difference between "contra" and "chocar con" below.
contra(
kohn
-
trah
)A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
1. (opposition)
a. against
Boca Juniors juega contra Santos este sábado.Boca Juniors plays against Santos this Saturday.
2. (position)
a. against
Pon este libro en el librero que está contra aquella pared, por favor.Put this book in the bookcase that is against that wall, please.
3. (direction)
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
a. con
Antes de invertir, examine los pros y los contras.Before you invest, examine the pros and cons.
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
6. (medicine) (Chile) (Colombia) (Nicaragua) (Venezuela)
Regionalism used in Chile
Regionalism used in Colombia
Regionalism used in Nicaragua
Regionalism used in Venezuela
7. (sports)
a. counterpunch
Le propinó una contra a su rival que le partió el labio.She landed a counterpunch on her opponent which split her lip.
An interjection is a short utterance that expresses emotion, hesitation, or protest (e.g., Wow!).
8. (colloquial) (to express surprise)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. damn (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
¡Contra, qué calor hace aquí!Damn, it's hot in here!
chocar con(
choh
-
kahr
kohn
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
b. to crash into
Hubo un accidente a la vuelta de la esquina: un auto chocó con un autobús.There was an accident round the corner - a car crashed into a bus.
c. to bump into
Me choqué con la mesa y me lastimé un dedo del pie.I bumped into the table and hurt my toe.
2. (figurative) (to disagree with)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
a. to run counter to
En algunas culturas, el empoderamiento de la mujer choca con prácticas y tradiciones de profundo arraigo.In some cultures, women empowerment runs counter to deeply entrenched practices and traditions.
b. to be at odds with
Los intereses de las mineras chocan con la protección del medio ambiente.Mining companies' interests are at odds with environmental protection.
c. to clash with
Andrea suele chocar con sus amigas porque tiene ideas muy conservadorasAndrea often clashes with her friends because she holds highly conservative views.
3. (to face)
a. to come up against
La propuesta de reforma del gobierno chocó con una importante resistencia.The government's reform proposal came up against significance resistance.
chocarse con
A pronominal verb phrase combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Se dio cuenta del problema.)
