pretendo

/preh-TEN-doh/

I intend

A hiker standing at the bottom of a trail, looking up at a distant mountain peak with determination.

The hiker's gaze toward the mountain peak shows what they intend to achieve.

pretendo(verb)

A2regular er

I intend

stating a goal or plan

Also:

I plan to

future intentions

I aim to

setting a target

📝 In Action

Pretendo terminar el libro esta noche.

I intend to finish the book tonight.

No pretendo molestarte, solo quiero ayudar.

I don't intend to bother you, I just want to help.

Word Connections

Synonyms

planeo (I plan)
intento (I try/intend)

Antonyms

desisto (I give up)

Common Collocations

pretendo hacer – I intend to do
lo que pretendo es – what I'm aiming for is

💡 Grammar Points

Using Verbs After Pretendo

When you want to say 'I intend to [do something]', just follow 'pretendo' with the base form (infinitive) of the second verb, like 'pretendo viajar' (I intend to travel).

❌ Common Pitfalls

The False Friend Trap

Mistake: "Using 'pretendo' to mean 'I'm acting' or 'I'm faking'."

Correction: Use 'finjo' for 'I pretend/fake'. 'Pretendo' almost always means 'I intend' or 'I plan'.

⭐ Usage Tips

Sound More Natural

Use 'pretendo' when you have a clear goal in mind. It sounds slightly more deliberate and committed than just saying 'quiero' (I want).

A person holding a golden trophy high in the air with a proud expression.

Holding the trophy is a way to claim victory and assert success.

pretendo(verb)

I claim

asserting that something is true

Also:

I expect

demanding a certain treatment

📝 In Action

¿Qué pretendes con esa actitud?

What are you trying to achieve with that attitude?

No pretendo que me den la razón sin pruebas.

I don't expect them to agree with me without proof.

Word Connections

Synonyms

afirmo (I assert)
espero (I expect)

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedespretendieran

yopretendiera

túpretendieras

vosotrospretendierais

nosotrospretendiéramos

él/ella/ustedpretendiera

present

ellos/ellas/ustedespretendan

yopretenda

túpretendas

vosotrospretendáis

nosotrospretendamos

él/ella/ustedpretenda

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedespretendieron

yopretendí

túpretendiste

vosotrospretendisteis

nosotrospretendimos

él/ella/ustedpretendió

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedespretendían

yopretendía

túpretendías

vosotrospretendíais

nosotrospretendíamos

él/ella/ustedpretendía

present

ellos/ellas/ustedespretenden

yopretendo

túpretendes

vosotrospretendéis

nosotrospretendemos

él/ella/ustedpretende

View All Tenses & Moods →

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: pretendo

Question 1 of 2

If you say 'Pretendo comprar una casa', what are you saying?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

pretender(to intend/claim) - verb

pretensión(aim/ambition) - noun

pretendiente(suitor/candidate) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'pretendo' mean the same as the English 'pretend'?

No! This is a classic 'false friend.' In English, 'pretend' means to make believe or fake something. In Spanish, 'pretendo' means you intend or aim to do something real.

Is 'pretendo' formal?

It's neutral. You can use it with friends to discuss your weekend plans, or in a business meeting to discuss company goals.