proveer
“proveer” means “to provide” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
to provide, to supply
Also: to equip, to furnish
📝 In Action
El hotel provee toallas y jabón a todos sus huéspedes.
A2The hotel provides towels and soap to all its guests.
Es responsabilidad del estado proveer de agua potable a la población.
B1It is the state's responsibility to provide the population with drinking water.
La empresa nos proveyó de todo el equipo necesario para el trabajo.
B2The company supplied us with all the necessary equipment for the job.
to stock up, to equip oneself
📝 In Action
Debemos proveernos de suficiente leña para el invierno.
B2We must stock up on enough firewood for the winter.
Los excursionistas se proveyeron de mapas antes de salir.
B2The hikers equipped themselves with maps before leaving.
Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Indicative
Preterite
Imperfect
Present
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: proveer
Question 1 of 3
How do you say 'They provided us with water' correctly?
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👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin 'providere', which literally means 'to see ahead' (pro = forward, videre = to see). It’s the same root that gave us the English word 'provide'.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'proveer' and 'dar'?
'Dar' is very general and just means to give. 'Proveer' is more specific; it implies giving something that is needed, required, or used to stock a supply.
Is 'proveído' a real word?
Yes! Both 'provisto' and 'proveído' are officially accepted. However, 'provisto' sounds more professional and is used much more frequently in most Spanish-speaking countries.
Is it 'proveer con' or 'proveer de'?
Always use 'proveer de'. Using 'con' (with) is a common mistake made by English speakers because it's a direct translation of 'provide with'.