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predicar

pre-dee-KAHR/pɾeðiˈkaɾ/

“predicar” means “to preach” in Spanish (giving a religious sermon).

to preach

Also: to advocate, to lecture
VerbB1regular with spelling change ar
General
A person standing at a wooden podium speaking to a seated audience in a bright hall.
gerundpredicando
past Participlepredicado
infinitivepredicar

📝 In Action

El sacerdote suele predicar sobre la bondad cada domingo.

B1

The priest usually preaches about kindness every Sunday.

No puedes predicar la paz mientras buscas conflictos.

B2

You cannot advocate for peace while seeking conflicts.

Es fácil predicar, pero lo difícil es dar el ejemplo.

C1

It is easy to lecture, but the hard part is setting the example.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • evangelizar (to evangelize)
  • proclamar (to proclaim)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • predicar con el ejemplo – to lead by example
  • predicar la moral – to preach morality

Idioms & Expressions

  • predicar en el desierto – to give advice or speak to people who don't listen

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedespredicaran
yopredicara
túpredicaras
vosotrospredicarais
nosotrospredicáramos
él/ella/ustedpredicara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesprediquen
yopredique
túprediques
vosotrosprediquéis
nosotrosprediquemos
él/ella/ustedpredique

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedespredicaron
yoprediqué
túpredicaste
vosotrospredicasteis
nosotrospredicamos
él/ella/ustedpredicó

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedespredicaban
yopredicaba
túpredicabas
vosotrospredicabais
nosotrospredicábamos
él/ella/ustedpredicaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedespredican
yopredico
túpredicas
vosotrospredicáis
nosotrospredicamos
él/ella/ustedpredica
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "predicar" in Spanish:

to advocate→to lecture→to preach→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: predicar

Question 1 of 3

What happens to the 'c' in the 'yo' form of the past tense?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
el predicador(the preacher) — Noun
la predicación(the preaching/sermon) — Noun
predicable(predictable or preachable) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'praedicāre', which means to proclaim or announce publicly.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: preachFrench: prêcher

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'predicar' only for religious settings?

No. While it started in religion, it is now used for anyone who strongly advocates for an idea, like peace, health, or a specific lifestyle.

Is 'predicar' the same as 'decir'?

'Decir' just means 'to say.' 'Predicar' is much more intense; it implies trying to convince or instruct others on how to act.

Is it a common word in daily conversation?

It's moderately common. You'll hear it most often in the context of people giving advice or in the phrase 'predicar con el ejemplo'.