interferir
verbCEFR B2
What does “interferir” mean in English?
to interfere, to meddle
to interfere, to meddle (interferir en — get involved in something in a way that is not wanted or not appropriate)
Example sentences
El ejecutivo acusó al poder judicial de interferir en decisiones que corresponden exclusivamente al ámbito político.
The executive accused the judiciary of interfering in decisions that fall exclusively within the political domain.
La señal de radio interfería con los sistemas de comunicación del aeropuerto, lo que obligó a investigar el origen.
The radio signal was interfering with the airport communication systems, which necessitated an investigation into the source.
No corresponde a ningún organismo externo interferir en los procesos electorales de un estado soberano.
It is not for any external body to interfere in the electoral processes of a sovereign state.
How to use it
Interferir (en) means 'to interfere in' or 'to meddle with'. It is intransitive: interferir en + domain. At B2, it commonly describes unwanted intrusion: interferir en la política interna (interfere in domestic politics), interferir en el proceso judicial (interfere with the judicial process). It also has a technical sense: señales que interfieren (signals that interfere/cause interference). Don't confuse with obstaculizar (obstruct — physically block) or intervenir (intervene — can be neutral or positive).
Common mistake
Interferir en (meddle/intrude — unwanted) vs. intervenir en (intervene in — which can be neutral or positive). A mediator interviene in a conflict (a legitimate, helpful role); a foreign power interfiere in another country's politics (illegitimate intrusion). The negative connotation of interferir is strong.