pretendo

preh-TEN-dohpɾeˈtendo

“pretendo” means “I intend” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

I intend🔊A2Verb

stating a goal or plan

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I claim🔊B2Verb

asserting that something is true

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I intend

Also: I plan to, I aim to

VerbA2regular er

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

gerundpretendiendo

past Participlepretendido

infinitivepretender

📝 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

I claim

Also: I expect

VerbB2

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

📝 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)

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yopretendiera

túpretendieras

él/ella/ustedpretendiera

nosotrospretendiéramos

vosotrospretendierais

ellos/ellas/ustedespretendieran

Present Subjunctive

yopretenda

túpretendas

él/ella/ustedpretenda

nosotrospretendamos

vosotrospretendáis

ellos/ellas/ustedespretendan

Indicative

Preterite

yopretendí

túpretendiste

él/ella/ustedpretendió

nosotrospretendimos

vosotrospretendisteis

ellos/ellas/ustedespretendieron

Imperfect

yopretendía

túpretendías

él/ella/ustedpretendía

nosotrospretendíamos

vosotrospretendíais

ellos/ellas/ustedespretendían

Present

yopretendo

túpretendes

él/ella/ustedpretende

nosotrospretendemos

vosotrospretendéis

ellos/ellas/ustedespretenden

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Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "pretendo" in Spanish:

i claim→i expect→i intend→

✏️ 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

🎵 Rhymes▼

entiendo aprendo vendo

📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin 'praetendere', which literally means 'to stretch in front'. Originally, it described holding something out as a shield or a reason, which evolved into the idea of putting forward a plan or a claim.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: pretendFrench: prétendre

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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.