ocasionar
“ocasionar” means “to cause” in Spanish (bringing about a result or situation).
to cause
Also: to bring about, to give rise to
📝 In Action
El fuerte viento puede ocasionar la caída de árboles.
A2The strong wind can cause trees to fall.
Tus acciones podrían ocasionar problemas legales en el futuro.
B1Your actions could cause legal problems in the future.
La huelga de transporte ha ocasionado retrasos en toda la ciudad.
B2The transportation strike has brought about delays throughout the city.
Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Indicative
Preterite
Imperfect
Present
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "ocasionar" in Spanish:
to cause→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: ocasionar
Question 1 of 3
Which of these is the most natural way to say 'The rain caused the delay' in a news report?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'occasio,' which means a 'favorable time' or an 'opportunity.' Over time, it evolved from the idea of taking an opportunity to the idea of 'bringing about' or 'causing' an event.
First recorded: 15th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'ocasionar' different from 'causar'?
They are very similar! 'Causar' is used more in everyday conversation, while 'ocasionar' is slightly more formal and often used in professional contexts.
Can I use 'ocasionar' for positive things?
Yes, but it is much more common to use it for neutral or negative outcomes, like problems, damage, or changes.
Does 'ocasionar' mean 'to celebrate an occasion'?
No. While they look similar, 'ocasionar' only means 'to cause.' To say 'to celebrate,' you would use 'celebrar.'