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pretensión

pre-ten-SYONpɾetenˈsjon

“pretensión” means “ambition” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

ambition, aim

Also: aspiration
NounfB1
A hiker standing on a lower peak looking up at a much higher, sunlit mountain summit.

📝 In Action

Mi única pretensión es ser feliz y vivir tranquilo.

B1

My only ambition is to be happy and live a quiet life.

No tengo la pretensión de convencer a nadie.

B2

I don't have the aim of convincing anyone.

Sus pretensiones salariales son demasiado altas para este puesto.

C1

His salary expectations (ambitions) are too high for this position.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • aspiración (aspiration)
  • objetivo (objective)

Antonyms

  • desinterés (disinterest)
  • humildad (humility)

Common Collocations

  • pretensiones salariales – salary expectations
  • legítima pretensión – legitimate aim

pretentiousness, affectation

Also: conceit
NounfB2
A common house cat wearing a large, oversized golden crown and sitting on a plush purple velvet cushion.

📝 In Action

Es una película sencilla, sin pretensiones.

B2

It's a simple movie, without any pretentiousness.

No soporto su pretensión de saberlo todo.

C1

I can't stand his pretension of knowing everything.

El restaurante tiene mucha pretensión pero la comida es mediocre.

C1

The restaurant is very pretentious (has a lot of pretension) but the food is mediocre.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • sencillez (simplicity)
  • modestia (modesty)

Common Collocations

  • sin pretensiones – unpretentious / simple
  • lleno de pretensiones – full of pretentiousness

Idioms & Expressions

  • no tener abuela – To be full of yourself or have no modesty (related to pretension)

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "pretensión" in Spanish:

pretentiousness→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: pretensión

Question 1 of 3

What does a company mean when they ask for your 'pretensiones salariales'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
pretender(to intend / to claim) — Verb
pretencioso(pretentious) — Adjective
pretendiente(suitor / candidate) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
atencióncancióncomprensión
📚 Etymology▼

Derived from the Latin 'praetensio', which comes from 'praetendere' (to stretch out in front). It originally meant putting something forward as an excuse or a goal.

First recorded: 15th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: pretensionFrench: prétention

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'pretensión' mean 'to pretend'?

Not exactly. While they share a root, 'pretender' in Spanish usually means 'to intend' or 'to aim for.' If you want to say 'to pretend' (as in 'to make believe'), use the verb 'fingir'.

Is 'pretensión' always a negative word?

No! It can be neutral when referring to career goals (ambitions). However, when describing someone's personality, it often implies they are acting 'too big' for their boots.

What's the difference between 'ambición' and 'pretensión'?

'Ambición' is the strong drive to succeed. 'Pretensión' is specifically the goal you have set for yourself or the claim you are making.