compites

Compites is the second-person singular present indicative form of the Spanish verb competir, meaning “you compete.” It is used when addressing someone informally with the pronoun tú, though the subject is often omitted in everyday speech. The form appears in sentences referring to participating in contests, races, exams, or any situation involving competition.

Origin and meaning: The verb competir derives from Latin competere, formed from com- (together) and petere (to seek or strive). In Latin, competere conveyed the idea of striving together or being suitable; in Spanish, the sense shifted to mean to contend or vie against others. The modern usage developed in the medieval and early modern periods and is now common across sports, academics, business, and general rivalry.

Conjugation and usage: Compites is part of a stem-changing pattern common to some -ir verbs in the present tense, where the e changes to i in almost all forms except nosotros and vosotros. The full present tense of competir is: yo compito, tú compites, él compite, nosotros competimos, vosotros competís, ellos compiten. The form is used for direct address or when the subject is clear from context, as in sports, competitions, or competitive situations.

Examples: Tú compites en el torneo local. ¿Con quién compites en esa carrera?