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el desafío means challenge — a common term in Academic & Exam Prep. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: July 23, 2025

🧠 Academic & Exam Prep

el desafío

noun • /[el deh-sah-FEE-oh]/

challenge

Example:

El mayor desafío es reducir la desigualdad.

The biggest challenge is reducing inequality.

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🧠 What does el desafío mean?

El desafío means challenge, referring to something that tests your skills, abilities, or resources. It can be a difficult task, a problem to solve, or a dare. It often implies a need for effort and determination to overcome.

📚 Extra examples

  • El examen final fue un verdadero desafío.
    The final exam was a real challenge.
  • Aprender un nuevo idioma presenta muchos desafíos.
    Learning a new language presents many challenges.
  • Me gusta el desafío de resolver problemas complejos.
    I like the challenge of solving complex problems.
  • Le lancé un desafío a mi amigo para ver quién podía correr más rápido.
    I challenged my friend to a race to see who could run faster.
  • Superar este desafío te hará más fuerte.
    Overcoming this challenge will make you stronger.

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'challenge' in Spanish?
The most common way to say 'challenge' in Spanish is 'el desafío'. Other options, depending on the context, include 'la prueba', 'el reto', and 'la dificultad'.
How do you pronounce 'el desafío' in Spanish?
It's pronounced roughly as 'el deh-sah-FEE-oh'. The 'í' has a long 'ee' sound like in 'bee'. The stress falls on the 'FEE' syllable.
How do you use 'el desafío' in a sentence?
Here are a few examples: 'El desafío es aprender 100 palabras nuevas esta semana.' (The challenge is to learn 100 new words this week.) or 'Este proyecto presenta un gran desafío para el equipo.' (This project presents a big challenge for the team.)
What is the English translation of 'el desafío'?
'El desafío' translates to 'challenge' in English.
Does 'el desafío' change for gender or number?
'El desafío' is a masculine singular noun. The plural is 'los desafíos'.
Is 'el desafío' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, 'el desafío' is fairly common in everyday conversation and writing, especially in contexts related to work, studies, and personal goals.
Does 'el desafío' have slang or double meanings?
No, 'el desafío' doesn't have any slang or double meanings. It's a straightforward and generally understood term.
Is 'el desafío' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
Not really. 'El desafío' is used with the same meaning across both Spain and Latin America.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "el desafío"

Synonyms: el reto, la prueba, la dificultad
Opposites: la facilidad, la simpleza

💡 Did You Know?

The verb form of 'desafío' is 'desafiar', meaning 'to challenge'. For example, 'Te desafío a un juego de ajedrez.' (I challenge you to a game of chess.)

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