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generalizar

hen-er-al-ee-SAR/xeneɾaliˈθaɾ/

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

to generalize

Also: to lump together
VerbB1regular with spelling change ar
A single person pointing at a large, identical group of blue birds to represent making a broad statement.
gerundgeneralizando
past Participlegeneralizado
infinitivegeneralizar

📝 In Action

No es justo generalizar sobre todos los jóvenes.

B1

It is not fair to generalize about all young people.

Generalizar a partir de un solo caso es un error lógico.

B2

Generalizing from a single case is a logical error.

Siempre generalizas cuando hablas de política.

A2

You always generalize when you talk about politics.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • universalizar (to universalize)
  • abstraer (to abstract)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • tendencia a generalizar – tendency to generalize
  • peligro de generalizar – danger of generalizing

to spread

Also: to become popular
VerbB2regular with spelling change ar
Dandelion seeds blowing in the wind and landing across a wide field to show something spreading.
gerundgeneralizando
past Participlegeneralizado
infinitivegeneralizar

📝 In Action

El uso de mascarillas se generalizó rápidamente.

B2

The use of masks became widespread quickly.

Queremos generalizar el acceso a internet en las zonas rurales.

C1

We want to make internet access common in rural areas.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • extender (to extend)
  • popularizar (to popularize)

Antonyms

  • limitar (to limit)
  • restringir (to restrict)

Common Collocations

  • se ha generalizado – it has become common

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesgeneralizaran
yogeneralizara
túgeneralizaras
vosotrosgeneralizarais
nosotrosgeneralizáramos
él/ella/ustedgeneralizara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesgeneralicen
yogeneralice
túgeneralices
vosotrosgeneralicéis
nosotrosgeneralicemos
él/ella/ustedgeneralice

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesgeneralizaron
yogeneralicé
túgeneralizaste
vosotrosgeneralizasteis
nosotrosgeneralizamos
él/ella/ustedgeneralizó

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesgeneralizaban
yogeneralizaba
túgeneralizabas
vosotrosgeneralizabais
nosotrosgeneralizábamos
él/ella/ustedgeneralizaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesgeneralizan
yogeneralizo
túgeneralizas
vosotrosgeneralizáis
nosotrosgeneralizamos
él/ella/ustedgeneraliza
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "generalizar" in Spanish:

to generalize→to spread→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: generalizar

Question 1 of 3

Which is the correct 'yo' form for 'generalizar' in the past (yesterday)?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
general(general) — Adjective
generalización(generalization) — Noun
generalmente(generally) — Adverb
generalidad(generality) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'generalis' (meaning relating to a whole kind or group) plus the suffix '-izar' (used to turn nouns or adjectives into verbs, similar to '-ize' in English).

First recorded: 17th century

Cognates (Related words)

French: généraliserEnglish: generalizeItalian: generalizzare

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'generalizar' a regular verb?

Almost! It follows regular -ar patterns, but you must remember to change 'z' to 'c' in the past (yo generalicé) and in the special 'wish' forms (que yo generalice).

Can I use 'generalizar' for physical things like a virus?

It is better to use 'extender' or 'propagarse' for physical things like viruses or fire. 'Generalizar' is usually for ideas, habits, or rules.

What is the opposite of 'generalizar'?

The best opposites are 'especificar' (to specify) or 'concretar' (to be specific).