How to Say "future" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “future” is “futuro” — use 'futuro' as a noun when referring to the general concept of time that has not yet occurred, or the abstract idea of what will happen.
futuro
foo-TOO-rohfuˈtu.ɾo
Examples
Nadie sabe qué pasará en el futuro.
Nobody knows what will happen in the future.
Es una carrera con mucho futuro.
It's a career with a lot of future (prospects).
En el futuro, me gustaría viajar por el mundo.
In the future, I would like to travel the world.
Te presento a mi futura esposa.
I'd like you to meet my future wife.
Always Masculine
Even though 'the future' is an abstract idea, in Spanish it's a masculine noun. Always say 'el futuro' or 'un futuro'.
Adjective Placement
As an adjective, 'futuro' almost always goes before the person or thing it describes. For example, say 'mi futura casa' (my future house), not 'mi casa futura'.
Matches Gender and Number
Like most adjectives, 'futuro' changes to match the noun: 'el futuro rey' (the future king), 'la futura reina' (the future queen), 'los futuros problemas' (the future problems).
'futuro' vs. 'porvenir'
Mistake: “Using 'futuro' and 'porvenir' exactly the same way.”
Correction: 'Futuro' is the general word for all future time. 'Porvenir' is more poetic and often refers to a person's destiny or professional prospects. For everyday use, 'futuro' is almost always the right choice.
futuro
foo-TOO-rohfuˈtu.ɾo
Examples
Te presento a mi futura esposa.
I'd like you to meet my future wife.
Nadie sabe qué pasará en el futuro.
Nobody knows what will happen in the future.
Es una carrera con mucho futuro.
It's a career with a lot of future (prospects).
En el futuro, me gustaría viajar por el mundo.
In the future, I would like to travel the world.
Always Masculine
Even though 'the future' is an abstract idea, in Spanish it's a masculine noun. Always say 'el futuro' or 'un futuro'.
Adjective Placement
As an adjective, 'futuro' almost always goes before the person or thing it describes. For example, say 'mi futura casa' (my future house), not 'mi casa futura'.
Matches Gender and Number
Like most adjectives, 'futuro' changes to match the noun: 'el futuro rey' (the future king), 'la futura reina' (the future queen), 'los futuros problemas' (the future problems).
'futuro' vs. 'porvenir'
Mistake: “Using 'futuro' and 'porvenir' exactly the same way.”
Correction: 'Futuro' is the general word for all future time. 'Porvenir' is more poetic and often refers to a person's destiny or professional prospects. For everyday use, 'futuro' is almost always the right choice.
porvenir
por-be-neerpoɾβeˈniɾ
Examples
Ella estudia medicina pensando en su porvenir.
She is studying medicine thinking about her future.
Nadie sabe qué nos depara el porvenir.
Nobody knows what the future holds for us.
Ese joven tiene un porvenir brillante en la música.
That young man has a bright future/prospects in music.
Always Masculine
Even though it doesn't end in 'o', this word is always masculine. You should always use 'el' or 'un' with it.
Porvenir vs. Futuro
While they both mean 'future,' 'porvenir' is often used for personal success or a long-term outlook, while 'futuro' is more general.
Confusing it with 'Coming'
Mistake: “Using 'por venir' (two words) when you mean the noun.”
Correction: Use 'el porvenir' (one word) to mean 'the future'. Use 'por venir' (two words) to mean 'yet to come' or 'about to arrive'.
Futuro vs. Porvenir
Related Translations
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