B2 noun Neutral

desafío

/de.sa.ˈfi.o/

A task or situation that tests someone's abilities; a call to take part in a contest or competition.

Examples

3 of 5
1

Correr un maratón fue mi mayor desafío.

Running a marathon was my biggest challenge.

2

La reducción de la pobreza es un desafío para la nación.

Reducing poverty is a challenge for the nation.

3

¿Aceptas el desafío de jugar contra mí?

Do you accept the challenge of playing against me?

Word Family

Noun
desafío
Verb
desafiar
Adverb
desafiantemente
Adjective
desafiante
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Memory Tip

Think of 'defying' something. A 'desafío' is something you 'defy' or face.

Quick Quiz

El cambio climático es el mayor ________ de nuestra era.

Correct!

The correct answer is: desafío

Examples

1

Correr un maratón fue mi mayor desafío.

everyday

Running a marathon was my biggest challenge.

2

La reducción de la pobreza es un desafío para la nación.

formal

Reducing poverty is a challenge for the nation.

3

¿Aceptas el desafío de jugar contra mí?

informal

Do you accept the challenge of playing against me?

4

Este fenómeno presenta un desafío para las teorías actuales.

academic

This phenomenon presents a challenge to current theories.

5

El mercado actual supone un desafío para las pequeñas empresas.

business

The current market poses a challenge for small businesses.

Word Family

Noun
desafío
Verb
desafiar
Adverb
desafiantemente
Adjective
desafiante

Common Collocations

enfrentar un desafío to face a challenge
gran desafío great challenge
desafío global global challenge
superar un desafío to overcome a challenge
plantear un desafío to pose a challenge

Common Phrases

aceptar el desafío

to accept the challenge

estar a la altura del desafío

to be up to the challenge

lanzar un desafío

to throw down a challenge

Often Confused With

desafío vs problema

A 'problema' is something to solve; a 'desafío' is something that tests your capacity.

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Usage Notes

Interchangeable with 'reto', though 'desafío' can sound slightly more formal or confrontational.

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Common Mistakes

Using 'challenge' directly (Spanglish) instead of the Spanish equivalent.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of 'defying' something. A 'desafío' is something you 'defy' or face.

📖

Word Origin

From the verb 'desafiar', from 'des-' (reversal) + 'fiar' (to trust).

Grammar Patterns

un desafío para el desafío de + infinitivo

Quick Quiz

El cambio climático es el mayor ________ de nuestra era.

Correct!

The correct answer is: desafío

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