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testificar

to testify

verb tes-tee-fee-KAHR Rare
Communication Writing

Origin: From Latin 'testificari' (to bear witness), from 'testis' (witness) + 'facere' (to make).

Also means

to bear witness

Usage Note

Testificar is the formal or legal verb for testifying under oath. In everyday speech, declarar or dar testimonio are more common alternatives. The related nouns are testigo (witness) and testimonio (testimony). Note that testificar is a regular -ar verb and follows the standard pattern, including the spelling change c → qu before e in subjunctive forms: testifique.

Examples

"El testigo se negó a testificar ante el juez."

Natural Translation

The witness refused to testify before the judge.

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