intuir
“intuir” means “to sense” in Spanish (having a feeling about something without proof).
to sense, to intuit
Also: to have a hunch, to guess
📝 In Action
Puedo intuir que algo no va bien.
A2I can sense that something isn't going well.
Ella intuyó la verdad desde el primer momento.
B1She sensed the truth from the very first moment.
Es difícil intuir qué pasará en las próximas elecciones.
B2It is difficult to guess what will happen in the next elections.
Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Indicative
Preterite
Imperfect
Present
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: intuir
Question 1 of 3
Which form of 'intuir' is correct for 'I sense'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin 'intueri', which meant 'to look at' or 'to contemplate'. Over time, it evolved from looking at something physically to 'seeing' it with your mind or instincts.
First recorded: 17th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'intuir' a common word in daily Spanish?
It is medium-frequency. You might use 'tener el presentimiento' (to have a feeling) in very casual speech, but 'intuir' is the standard way to say you are sensing or intuiting something.
Does 'intuir' trigger the subjunctive?
Usually no. When you say 'Intuyo que...', you are stating a belief you have, so you use the normal indicative. However, in the negative ('No intuyo que...'), you might use the subjunctive.
Can I use 'intuir' for physical sensations like cold?
No. For physical feelings, use 'sentir'. 'Intuir' is only for mental or emotional hunches.