imprevisto
“imprevisto” means “unforeseen event” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
unforeseen event
Also: unexpected expense, hiccup
📝 In Action
No puedo ir a la fiesta porque me surgió un imprevisto de última hora.
B1I can't go to the party because an unexpected thing came up at the last minute.
Siempre es bueno tener ahorros para cualquier imprevisto.
B1It's always good to have savings for any unexpected expense.
La reunión se retrasó por un imprevisto técnico.
B2The meeting was delayed due to a technical glitch.
unexpected
Also: unforeseen
📝 In Action
Recibimos una visita imprevista de mis tíos.
B1We had an unexpected visit from my aunt and uncle.
Hubo un cambio imprevisto en el calendario.
B1There was an unexpected change in the calendar.
Su muerte fue totalmente imprevista.
B2His death was completely unforeseen.
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "imprevisto" in Spanish:
hiccup→unexpected→unexpected expense→unforeseen→unforeseen event→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: imprevisto
Question 1 of 3
Which verb is most commonly used when an 'imprevisto' happens?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From Latin 'im-' (not) and 'praevisus' (seen before), which comes from 'prae-' (before) and 'videre' (to see).
First recorded: 15th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'imprevisto' always a bad thing?
Usually, yes. While it literally just means 'unexpected,' in daily conversation it almost always refers to a problem or a complication that interferes with your original plans.
What's the difference between 'sorpresa' and 'imprevisto'?
A 'sorpresa' is usually positive or neutral (like a birthday party). An 'imprevisto' is a practical complication or a 'hiccup' in your schedule or budget.
Can I use it as a verb?
No, 'imprevisto' is never a verb. If you want to say you didn't foresee something, use the verb 'prever' in its negative form: 'No preví esto' (I didn't foresee this).