decretar

deh-creh-TAR/de.kɾe.ˈtaɾ/

“decretar” means “to decree” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to decree🔊B2Verb

an official order from a government or authority

Learn more →

to manifest🔊B1Verb

affirming that something will happen as if it were already true

Learn more →

to decree

Also: to rule, to order

VerbB2regular arformal

Latin America

A king in royal robes sitting on a throne holding a rolled parchment with a wax seal.

gerunddecretando

past Participledecretado

infinitivedecretar

📝 In Action

El presidente decretó el estado de emergencia ayer.

The president decreed a state of emergency yesterday.

El juez decretó que el juicio se detuviera.

The judge ordered that the trial be stopped.

Es probable que el gobierno decrete nuevas leyes este mes.

It is likely that the government will decree new laws this month.

Word Connections

Synonyms

dictar (to dictate/issue)
ordenar (to order)
promulgar (to enact)

Antonyms

derogar (to repeal/abolish)
anular (to annul)

Common Collocations

decretar una ley – to decree a law
decretar la prisión – to order imprisonment
decretar el cierre – to order the closure

to manifest

Also: to affirm, to declare

VerbB1regular ar

A person standing on a mountain peak with their arms open wide looking at a sunrise, representing a positive affirmation.

gerunddecretando

past Participledecretado

infinitivedecretar

📝 In Action

Hoy decreto que será un día lleno de éxitos.

Today I manifest that it will be a day full of success.

Ella siempre decreta abundancia para su familia.

She always affirms abundance for her family.

Si quieres algo, decrétalo al universo.

If you want something, manifest it to the universe.

Word Connections

Synonyms

manifestar (to manifest)
afirmar (to affirm)

Antonyms

negar (to deny)
dudar (to doubt)

Common Collocations

decretar salud y prosperidad – to manifest health and prosperity
decretar con fe – to manifest with faith

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesdecretaran

yodecretara

túdecretaras

vosotrosdecretarais

nosotrosdecretáramos

él/ella/usteddecretara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesdecreten

yodecrete

túdecretes

vosotrosdecretéis

nosotrosdecretemos

él/ella/usteddecrete

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesdecretaron

yodecreté

túdecretaste

vosotrosdecretasteis

nosotrosdecretamos

él/ella/usteddecretó

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesdecretaban

yodecretaba

túdecretabas

vosotrosdecretabais

nosotrosdecretábamos

él/ella/usteddecretaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesdecretan

yodecreto

túdecretas

vosotrosdecretáis

nosotrosdecretamos

él/ella/usteddecreta

View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "decretar" in Spanish:

to affirm→to declare→to decree→to manifest→to order→to rule→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: decretar

Question 1 of 3

Which of the following is an official use of 'decretar'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼

decreto(decree / order) — Noun

decretal(decretal (relating to a decree)) — Adjective

decretado(decreed) — Adjective

🎵 Rhymes▼

amar lugar cantar

📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin 'decretare,' which is the frequentative form of 'decernere,' meaning 'to decide' or 'to settle.' It is built from 'de-' (off) and 'cernere' (to distinguish/sift).

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: decreeFrench: décréterPortuguese: decretar

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'decretar' used in daily conversation?

Not usually for daily tasks. It is reserved for either very formal legal situations or the specific spiritual context of 'manifesting' success.

What is a 'decretazo'?

It is an informal, often slightly negative term for a decree issued by a leader that people find sudden or authoritarian.

Can I use 'decretar' instead of 'decidir'?

Only if you want to sound like a king or someone with absolute power! For normal life, stick with 'decidir'.