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"Testificar" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to testify", and "atestiguar" is a transitive verb which is also often translated as "to testify". Learn more about the difference between "testificar" and "atestiguar" below.
testificar(
tehs
-
tee
-
fee
-
kahr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to testify
Varias de las víctimas testificaron contra el presunto violador.Several of the victims testified against the presumed rapist.
b. to give evidence
Me gustaría testificar a favor del acusado, porque me consta que no es culpable.I would like to give evidence for the accused, because I know he's not guilty.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
2. (to declare)
a. to attest
Los detenidos testificaron que no habían cometido ninguno de los delitos que se les imputaban.Those arrested attested that they hadn't committed any of the crimes they were accused of.
b. to testify
La mujer testificó que su marido había dormido en casa la noche en que se perpetró el crimen.The woman testified that her husband had spent the night at home when the murder was perpetrated.
a. to testify to
Las huellas de los zapatos del acusado testifican su presencia en la escena del crimen.The footprints of the accused's shoes testify to his presence at the crime scene.
b. to attest to
El largo tiempo que el candidato se ha tomado para responder a nuestra oferta testifica su falta de interés.The long time the candidate has taken to answer our offer attests to his lack of interest.
atestiguar(
ah
-
tehs
-
tee
-
gwahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (legal)
a. to testify
El testigo atestiguó que había visto al acusado conduciendo un coche verde.The witness testified that he had seen the defendant driving a green car.
2. (to prove)
a. to bear witness to
El comportamiento del niño atestigua que ha sufrido malos tratos.The child's behavior bears witness to the fact that he has been abused.
b. to attest to
El color del vino atestigua su calidad y correcto añejamiento.The color of the wine attests to its quality and correct aging.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
3. (legal)
a. to testify
El sospechoso no tiene a nadie que atestigüe a su favor.The suspect has no one to testify in his favor.
