testimonio
nounCEFR B2
What does “testimonio” mean in English?
1.testimony — a formal statement, especially given in a court of law; an account
testimony — a formal statement, especially given in a court of law; an account (dar/prestar testimonio; el testimonio de los supervivientes)
2.testimony — the formal statement or account given by a witness; 'dar/prestar testimonio'; content/act, not the person
testimony — the formal statement or account given by a witness; 'dar/prestar testimonio'; content/act, not the person ('testigo')
Example sentences
El testimonio de los supervivientes fue clave para que el tribunal pudiera reconstruir los hechos.
The testimony of the survivors was key to enabling the court to reconstruct the events.
Su autobiografía es un testimonio estremecedor de los horrores vividos durante la guerra civil.
Her autobiography is a harrowing testimony of the horrors experienced during the civil war.
El libro ofrece el testimonio de decenas de trabajadores migrantes sobre sus condiciones de vida en Europa.
The book offers the testimony of dozens of migrant workers about their living conditions in Europe.
How to use it
El testimonio (noun, masculine) means 'testimony, account, testimony' — formal evidence given by a witness, or a personal account. Core B2 collocations: dar/prestar/ofrecer testimonio; el testimonio de los supervivientes; un testimonio clave; testimonios de primera mano; levantar falso testimonio. The verb is testimoniar. Distinguish from declaración (statement — the act of declaring, more legal), relato (account/narrative — more literary), and prueba (evidence — documentary).
Common mistake
Levantar falso testimonio = to bear false witness (legal/Biblical). Don't confuse testimonio (personal witness/account) with prueba (material evidence). Testimoniar is used but rarer; dar/prestar/ofrecer testimonio are the standard verbal collocations.