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"to argue, quarrel" in seven languages

Meaningto argue, quarrel

Spanish

discutir

/diskuˈtiɾ/

learned

Also 'to discuss'; pelearse is a stronger fight.

French

se disputer

/sə dispyte/

other source · Latin DISPUTĀRE 'to debate', learned

Discuter only means 'to talk, discuss'.

Italian

litigare

/litiˈgare/

other source · Latin LĪTIGĀRE 'to go to law', learned

Portuguese

discutir

/dʒiskuˈtʃih/

learned

Romanian

se certa

/se tʃerˈta/

other source · Latin CERTĀRE 'to contend'

Catalan

discutir

/diskuˈti/

learned

English

argue

/ˈɑɹgju/

other source · Old French arguer, from Latin ARGŪTĀRĪ

English → Italianto argue, quarrellitigareNot relatedDifferent sources — learn this one fresh. But English has relatives: discuss, discussion; (French) dispute; (Italian) litigate.What English and Italian share

The Latin ancestor

DISCUTERE‘to shake apart’

All six sisters descend from it, unless marked otherwise below.

The story

Three learned words, three images: Spanish 'shake apart', French 'debate', Italian 'go to court'. Careful: French discuter and Italian discutere are calm discussions, not rows.

English relatives: discuss, discussion; (French) dispute; (Italian) litigate

Learn it

Practice the Core verbs deckQuiz a friend on it

In a sentence

  • esMis padres discuten por dinero.
  • frMes parents se disputent pour l'argent.
  • itI miei genitori litigano per i soldi.
  • ptMeus pais discutem por causa de dinheiro.
  • roPărinții mei se ceartă din cauza banilor.
  • caEls meus pares discuteixen per diners.
  • enMy parents argue about money.

More words from the same Latin

More in Core verbs

All Core verbs words