vencer
verbo transitivo
1 (derrotar) [+enemigo, rival] to defeat; beat [+enfermedad, dolor] to beat; overcome
vencieron al equipo visitante por 3 a 2 they defeated o beat the visiting team 3-2
nuestro sistema inmunológico es capaz de vencer al virus our immune system is capable of beating o overcoming the virus; a decir tonterías nadie le vence when it comes to talking rubbish he's in a class of his own; no one beats him when it comes to talking rubbish; vence a todos en elegancia he outdoes them all in style; he beats them all for style
2 (controlar) [+miedo, tentación] to overcome; [+pasión] to control
consiguió vencer la tentación de fumar he managed to overcome the temptation to smoke
3 (prevalecer) [+miedo, sueño] to overcome
por fin lo venció el sueño sleep finally overcame him; me venció el pánico cuando tuve que hablarle panic got the better of me o I was overcome with panic when I had to speak to him
verbo intransitivo
1 (en batalla, partido, elecciones) to win
hemos vencido por dos a cero we won two nil; ¡venceremos! we shall win o overcome!
dejarse vencer (por) to give in(to); no te dejes vencer y sigue adelante keep going and don't give in; por fin se dejó vencer por la curiosidad he finally gave in to his curiosity; he finally let (his) curiosity get the better of him; no te dejes vencer por las dificultades don't give up in the face of difficulties; don't let difficulties get the better of you
3 (Com) [+documento, póliza, pasaporte] to expire; [+inversión] to mature
su contrato vence a final de año his contract runs out o expires at the end of the year
el plazo para pagar el alquiler vence mañana the deadline for paying the rent is tomorrow; the rent is due tomorrow; el plazo para la entrega de solicitudes vence mañana the closing date for applications is tomorrow; la semana que viene me vence el primer plazo del ordenador I have to pay my first instalment on the computer next week; my first instalment on the computer is due next week
verbo pronominal
vencerse1 (ceder) [+muelle, estante, soporte] to give way
la cama se venció con tanto peso the bed gave way under the weight; la mesa se vence hacia un lado the table leans to one side; la cabeza se le vencía hacia un lado his head hung o leaned to one side
