/desθiˈfɾaɾ/ ES
/dessiˈfɾaɾ/ MX
Translation
to decipher, to decode, to work out
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Word origin
From des- ('un-, reverse of') plus cifrar ('to encode'), from cifra ('figure, cipher'), which came through Arabic sifr ('zero, empty') into the Romance languages.
- Origin
- Arabic
- Root
- sifr
- English cognates
- cipher, decipher
Grammar
Conjugation
Regular -ar conjugation. Pronouns: yo, tú, él/ella/ud., nos., vos., ellos/uds..
Indicative
| Person | Present | Preterite | Imperfect | Future | Conditional |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| yo | descifro | descifré | descifraba | descifraré | descifraría |
| tú | descifras | descifraste | descifrabas | descifrarás | descifrarías |
| él/ella/ud. | descifra | descifró | descifraba | descifrará | descifraría |
| nos. | desciframos | desciframos | descifrábamos | descifraremos | descifraríamos |
| vos. | descifráis | descifrasteis | descifrabais | descifraréis | descifraríais |
| ellos/uds. | descifran | descifraron | descifraban | descifrarán | descifrarían |
Subjunctive
| Person | Present | Imperfect (-ra) | Imperfect (-se) |
|---|---|---|---|
| yo | descifre | descifrara | descifrase |
| tú | descifres | descifraras | descifrases |
| él/ella/ud. | descifre | descifrara | descifrase |
| nos. | descifremos | descifráramos | descifrásemos |
| vos. | descifréis | descifrarais | descifraseis |
| ellos/uds. | descifren | descifraran | descifrasen |
Imperative
| Person | Affirmative |
|---|---|
| tú | descifra |
| ud. | descifre |
| nosotros | descifremos |
| vosotros | descifrad |
| uds. | descifren |
Non-finite
- Gerund / present participle
- descifrando
- Past participle
- descifrado
Examples
.
I cannot decipher his handwriting.
.
The experts managed to decode the secret message.
¿ ?
Can you work out what this sign says?
.
It took years to decipher that ancient writing.
.
I am trying to work out what she means by that.
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Spanish · Free printables
descifrar: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the Spanish word "descifrar" (to decipher, to decode, to work out): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free weekThis word is taught in chapter 45, lesson 10: descifrar, tendencia, brazalete and 7 more words.