Inklingo
← Dictionary

especulación

es-peh-koo-lah-SYOHNespeku’laθjon

speculation

Also: conjecture, guesswork
NounfB2
A person looking at a mysterious wrapped box with a question mark shape in their thought bubble.

📝 In Action

No es verdad, es solo una especulación de la prensa.

A2

It's not true; it's just speculation by the press.

Hay mucha especulación sobre quién será el nuevo jefe.

B1

There is a lot of speculation about who the new boss will be.

Sus teorías son pura especulación sin base científica.

B2

His theories are pure speculation without a scientific basis.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • conjetura (conjecture)
  • suposición (supposition)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • pura especulación – pure speculation
  • fruto de la especulación – the result of speculation

speculation

Also: profiteering
NounfC1formal
A person buying a small green plant and then selling a much larger version of the same plant for more coins.

📝 In Action

La especulación inmobiliaria ha subido los precios de la vivienda.

B2

Real estate speculation has raised housing prices.

El gobierno quiere evitar la especulación con los alimentos básicos.

C1

The government wants to avoid speculation on basic food items.

Muchos inversores se dedican a la especulación bursátil.

C2

Many investors engage in stock market speculation.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • lucro (profit-making)

Antonyms

  • inversión (investment (usually implies long-term/stable))

Common Collocations

  • especulación inmobiliaria – real estate speculation
  • especulación financiera – financial speculation

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "especulación" in Spanish:

guesswork→profiteering→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: especulación

Question 1 of 3

If someone is guessing who will win an election based on rumors, they are engaging in:

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
especular(to speculate) — Verb
especulador(speculator) — Noun
especulativo(speculative) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
canciónrazóndecisión
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin 'speculatio', which comes from 'specula' (watchtower). It originally meant the act of watching or spying from a high point.

First recorded: 13th Century

Cognates (Related words)

English: speculationFrench: spéculation

💡 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 'especulación' always a bad thing?

Not necessarily. In a scientific context, it's just part of thinking up new ideas. However, in economics, it often has a negative tone suggesting someone is making prices rise unfairly.

Can I use 'teoría' instead?

'Teoría' (theory) usually sounds more organized and backed by some thought, while 'especulación' sounds more like a guess based on very little info.

How do I pluralize it?

The plural is 'especulaciones'. Note that when you make it plural, the written accent on the 'o' disappears.