idear
“idear” means “to devise” in Spanish (planning or creating a strategy).
to devise, to think up
Also: to invent, to design
📝 In Action
Tenemos que idear un plan para la fiesta de cumpleaños.
A2We have to think up a plan for the birthday party.
Ella ideó un sistema nuevo para organizar los libros.
B1She devised a new system for organizing the books.
El arquitecto ideó una estructura que resiste terremotos.
B2The architect designed a structure that resists earthquakes.
Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Indicative
Preterite
Imperfect
Present
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: idear
Question 1 of 3
If you 'ideas un plan', you are...
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Spanish noun 'idea', which traces back to the Greek 'idein', meaning 'to see'. It literally means giving a mental form or vision to something.
First recorded: 16th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'idear' used often in daily conversation?
It is less common than 'pensar', but very common when discussing projects, business strategies, or artistic creations.
Can I use 'idear' for a physical object?
Yes, but it refers to the design phase. You 'idear' the concept of a new phone, then you 'fabricar' (manufacture) it.
Does it have any irregular forms?
No, it is a perfectly regular -ar verb in every tense.