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pretendo

preh-TEN-doh/pɾeˈtendo/

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

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.

A2

I intend to finish the book tonight.

No pretendo molestarte, solo quiero ayudar.

B1

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

Word Connections

Synonyms

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

📝 In Action

¿Qué pretendes con esa actitud?

B2

What are you trying to achieve with that attitude?

No pretendo que me den la razón sin pruebas.

C1

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 →

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▼
📚 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.