suele
“suele” means “usually” in Spanish (expressing habit or routine).
usually, tends to
Also: is accustomed to
📝 In Action
Mi jefe nunca está aquí a las 9. Él **suele** llegar más tarde.
A2My boss is never here at 9. He usually arrives later.
La lluvia **suele** provocar tráfico en la ciudad.
B1The rain tends to cause traffic in the city.
En esta época del año, el viento **suele** soplar con fuerza.
A2At this time of year, the wind usually blows strongly.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: suele
Question 1 of 2
Which English phrase is the best translation for 'Mi perro suele dormir todo el día'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes directly from the Latin verb *solēre*, which meant 'to be accustomed' or 'to be in the habit of.' The meaning and use have remained remarkably consistent over centuries.
First recorded: Old Spanish (around 13th century)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use 'suele' to talk about a unique, one-time event?
No. 'Suele' is only used for actions or states that repeat or are considered routine. If you want to say 'he did it once,' you must use a different verb like 'hacer' (hizo).
Is 'suele' the same as 'normally'?
Yes, functionally they are very similar. 'Suele' (or the infinitive 'soler') is often a more concise and natural way to express the idea of 'normally' or 'typically' in Spanish than using the adverb 'normalmente'.