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How to Say "i guess" in Spanish

English → Spanish

supongo

soo-PONG-gosuˈpoŋ.ɡo

verbA2informal
Use this when making a general, often informal, assumption or when you think something is likely true.
A child looking thoughtful and slightly uncertain, symbolizing making an assumption or guess.

Examples

Supongo que tienes razón.

I suppose you're right.

El tren llegará tarde, supongo.

The train will be late, I guess.

Supongo que no hay otra opción.

I assume there's no other option.

Expressing Guesses with 'que'

Use 'supongo que...' to introduce something you think is true but aren't 100% sure about. It's the perfect Spanish equivalent of 'I guess that...' or 'I suppose that...'.

Which Verb Form Follows?

After 'supongo que', you almost always use a normal, statement-making verb form (what's technically called the 'indicative'). Think of it this way: you are stating what you suppose. For example, 'Supongo que estás cansado' (I suppose you are tired).

Certainty vs. Supposition

Mistake: “Using 'supongo' when you are certain about something. For example: 'Supongo que mi cumpleaños es en junio' (when you know it is).”

Correction: Use 'sé' for facts ('Sé que mi cumpleaños es en junio'). Keep 'supongo' for your guesses, assumptions, and opinions that aren't facts.

imagino

ee-mah-HEE-nohi.maˈxi.no

verbB1
Use this to express a hypothesis or a reasoned assumption, often implying a slightly more thoughtful consideration than 'supongo'.
A character standing with one hand raised in a slight shrug and the other hand touching their chin, wearing a slightly puzzled expression, suggesting they are making an assumption or supposing something.

Examples

Imagino que tienes hambre después de un día tan largo.

I suppose you are hungry after such a long day.

No imagino cuánto dinero cuesta ese coche nuevo.

I can't imagine (I have no idea) how much that new car costs.

Imagino que el jefe estará contento con el resultado.

I guess the boss will be happy with the result.

Follow-up Verb Form

When 'imagino' is followed by 'que' and another complete thought (like 'que tienes hambre'), the second verb usually stays in its normal present tense form (the indicative mood) because you are expressing a confident belief.

adivino

ah-dee-BEE-nohadiˈβino

verbA2
Use this when you correctly predict something or solve a riddle, meaning to 'guess' in the sense of figuring something out accurately.
A person pointing at a closed wooden box with a lightbulb above their head, signifying they have guessed what is inside.

Examples

Siempre adivino lo que vas a decir.

I always guess what you are going to say.

Adivino que tienes buenas noticias.

I guess that you have good news.

Si adivino el número, ¿me das un premio?

If I guess the number, will you give me a prize?

The 'I' form

When a verb ends in 'o' in the present time, it usually means 'I'. So 'adivino' specifically means 'I guess'.

Regular Patterns

This verb follows the standard rules for verbs ending in '-ar'. Once you learn this pattern, you can conjugate hundreds of other verbs just like it!

Using with 'que' vs Nouns

Mistake: “Adivino la respuesta.”

Correction: Adivino la respuesta (Correct). Adivino que es verdad (I guess that it's true).

Assumption vs. Prediction

The most common mistake is using 'adivino' for assumptions. Remember, 'adivino' means to guess correctly or predict, like a fortune teller. For general assumptions, stick to 'supongo' or 'imagino'.

Related Translations

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