idea
“idea” means “idea” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
idea
Also: thought, concept
📝 In Action
Tengo una buena idea.
A1I have a good idea.
¿Qué es la idea principal del libro?
A2What is the main idea of the book?
Es una idea brillante para un negocio.
B1It's a brilliant idea for a business.
plan
Also: intention, point
📝 In Action
La idea es llegar antes de las ocho.
A2The plan is to arrive before eight.
Mi idea era viajar por Europa este verano.
B1My intention was to travel through Europe this summer.
La idea es que todos participen.
B1The point is for everyone to participate.
impression
Also: notion, clue
📝 In Action
No tengo ni la más remota idea de lo que hablas.
B1I don't have the slightest idea what you're talking about.
Me da la idea de que no está contento.
B2I get the impression that he is not happy.
Para que te hagas una idea, es tan grande como un coche.
B1To give you an idea, it's as big as a car.
🔀 Commonly Confused With
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: idea
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence best translates to 'The plan is to eat at the new restaurant'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin word 'idea', which itself came from the ancient Greek word 'idéa' (ἰδέα). For the Greek philosopher Plato, an 'idéa' was the perfect, eternal form of something that exists in the mind. Our modern word still carries this sense of something conceived in the mind.
First recorded: Around the 15th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 'idea' feminine ('la idea') but 'problema' is masculine ('el problema')? They both end in '-a'.
That's a fantastic question! Most Spanish words ending in '-a' are feminine. However, a special group of words that Spanish borrowed from Greek, often ending in '-ma', '-pa', or '-ta', are masculine. 'Problema', 'mapa', and 'planeta' are common examples. 'Idea' also comes from Greek, but it's an exception that follows the main '-a' is feminine rule, which makes it a bit tricky but easy to remember once you know!