porvenir
“porvenir” means “future” in Spanish (the time that is to come).
future
Also: prospects, outlook
📝 In Action
Ella estudia medicina pensando en su porvenir.
A2She is studying medicine thinking about her future.
Nadie sabe qué nos depara el porvenir.
B1Nobody knows what the future holds for us.
Ese joven tiene un porvenir brillante en la música.
B2That young man has a bright future/prospects in music.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: porvenir
Question 1 of 3
Which of these phrases refers to building a successful career?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Derived from the phrase 'por venir', which literally means 'to come' or 'about to happen'. It was combined into a single noun to describe the time ahead.
First recorded: 13th Century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'porvenir' used in plural?
Rarely. While 'porvenires' is grammatically possible, it is almost always used in the singular to talk about 'the future' as a whole.
Can I use 'porvenir' to talk about grammar (the future tense)?
No. For grammar, you must always use the word 'futuro' (e.g., 'el futuro simple').
Is it a formal word?
It's slightly more formal than 'futuro', but it's used in daily life when talking about dreams, jobs, and the fate of the world.