Inklingo

predicar

pre-dee-KAHRpɾeðiˈkaɾ

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 ejemploto lead by example
  • predicar la moralto preach morality

Idioms & Expressions

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

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

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

Present Subjunctive

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

Indicative

Preterite

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

Imperfect

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

Present

yopredico
predicas
él/ella/ustedpredica
nosotrospredicamos
vosotrospredicáis
ellos/ellas/ustedespredican

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "predicar" in Spanish:

to advocateto lectureto 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'.