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How to Say "i promise" in Spanish

English → Spanish

prometo

/pro-MEH-toh//pɾoˈme.to/

VerbA1Informal
Use 'prometo' when making a personal commitment or assurance to someone about your own future actions.
Two stylized cartoon hands linking their pinky fingers firmly together, symbolizing a promise or commitment.

Examples

Te prometo que llegaré a tiempo.

I promise you I will arrive on time.

Prometo estudiar más para el próximo examen.

I promise to study more for the next exam.

Si me ayudas, te prometo una recompensa.

If you help me, I promise you a reward.

Saying 'I promise to...'

After 'prometo', if you're promising to do something yourself, just add the base '-ar', '-er', or '-ir' form of the next verb. For example, 'Prometo llamar' (I promise to call).

Promising 'that' something will happen

To promise that something else will happen or that someone else will do something, use 'prometo que...'. For example, 'Te prometo que todo estará bien' (I promise you that everything will be okay).

Adding an extra 'a'

Mistake: “Prometo a llamar.”

Correction: Prometo llamar. Unlike some other verbs, 'prometer' connects directly to the next verb without needing a little word like 'a' in between.

juro

/HOO-roh//ˈxu.ɾo/

VerbA2Informal
Use 'juro' when you want to assure someone of something with strong conviction, often implying an oath or swear word.
A confident person standing with a serious expression, raising their right hand high into the air as if taking a solemn oath or making a serious promise.

Examples

Te juro que no fui yo.

I swear it wasn't me.

Juro que voy a estudiar más para el examen.

I promise I'm going to study more for the exam.

Lo juro por mi vida, es la verdad.

I swear on my life, it's the truth.

The 'I' Form of a Verb

'Juro' is the 'yo' (I) form of the verb 'jurar' (to swear). In Spanish, the ending of the verb often tells you who is doing the action, so you can say 'Juro' without needing to say 'Yo juro'.

Connecting Your Promise with 'que'

You'll often see 'juro que...' followed by another phrase. The word 'que' acts like the English word 'that' to connect your promise to what you're promising. For example, 'Juro que es verdad' means 'I swear that it's true'.

Using it Too Casually

Mistake: “Using 'juro' for unimportant things all the time, like 'Juro que dejé las llaves en la mesa.'”

Correction: 'Juro' is a strong word. While common, using it too much can make you sound overly dramatic or insincere. Save it for when you really want to emphasize something important.

aseguro

ah-seh-GOO-roh/a.seˈɣu.ɾo/

VerbA2Informal
Use 'aseguro' to formally assure someone of a fact or the certainty of an event, often used in more professional or factual contexts.
Two people shaking hands firmly with confident expressions, symbolizing an assurance or guarantee.

Examples

Yo te aseguro que la reunión empieza a las diez en punto.

I assure you that the meeting starts exactly at ten o'clock.

¿Estás seguro? Sí, te lo aseguro.

Are you sure? Yes, I guarantee it.

Use of 'Que'

When using 'aseguro' to guarantee a fact, you often follow it with 'que' before the rest of the sentence: 'Aseguro que es verdad' (I assure that it is true).

Choosing Between 'Prometo' and 'Juro'

Learners often confuse 'prometo' and 'juro.' Remember that 'prometo' is for personal commitments, while 'juro' carries a stronger, more emphatic tone, like swearing an oath. Using 'juro' for everyday promises can sound overly dramatic.

Related Translations

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