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How to Say "intentions" in Spanish

English → Spanish

intenciones

/in-ten-SYOH-nes//intenˈsjo.nes/

nounB1general
Use 'intenciones' for general plans, aims, or what someone intends to do.
A colorful illustration showing a long, straight path symbolized by an arrow pointing toward a large flag planted on a green hill, representing a goal or plan.

Examples

Mis intenciones son viajar por todo el continente el próximo año.

My intentions are to travel across the entire continent next year.

¿Cuáles son tus intenciones con este proyecto de ley?

What are your purposes for this bill/law project?

Le pregunté directamente sobre sus intenciones.

I asked him directly about his intentions.

Always Plural in this Sense

Even though the singular 'intención' exists, we usually talk about aims or motives in the plural 'intenciones' when discussing general plans or desires.

Using the Singular for General Aims

Mistake: “Mi intenciónes es viajar.”

Correction: Mis intenciones son viajar. (We use the plural noun 'intenciones' and the plural verb 'son').

miras

MEE-rahs/ˈmiɾas/

nounB2general
Use 'miras' when referring to specific, often long-term, aims, objectives, or purposes behind a plan or action.
A stylized figure standing triumphantly on the peak of a brightly colored, simple mountain, signifying achieved goals or aims.

Examples

El plan fue diseñado con miras a largo plazo.

The plan was designed with long-term aims in mind.

Debemos analizar las miras de esta nueva ley.

We must analyze the intentions of this new law.

Ajustó las miras del rifle antes de disparar.

He adjusted the sights of the rifle before shooting.

Always Plural

When 'miras' means 'aims' or 'intentions,' it is almost always used in its plural form, even if you are referring to a single overall goal.

General Plans vs. Long-Term Objectives

Learners often confuse 'intenciones' and 'miras' by using 'intenciones' when a more specific, future-oriented objective is implied. Remember that 'miras' is typically used in constructions like 'con miras a' to indicate the purpose or goal of something, especially over time.

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