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How to Say "plans" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “plans” is “planes” — use 'planes' when referring to future arrangements, intentions, or what someone intends to do in the near future..

English → Spanish

planes

PLAH-nes/'planes/

nounA1general
Use 'planes' when referring to future arrangements, intentions, or what someone intends to do in the near future.
A stylized illustration of a person holding a rolled-up blueprint, pointing towards a small, brightly colored model of a house built from toy blocks, symbolizing future planning and arrangements.

Examples

¿Tienes planes para esta noche?

Do you have plans for tonight?

Hagamos planes para ir al cine el sábado.

Let's make plans to go to the cinema on Saturday.

Mis planes de viaje se cayeron por el mal clima.

My travel plans fell through due to the bad weather.

It's Always Plural

When talking about social arrangements, 'planes' is almost always used in the plural, even if you are referring to a single upcoming activity.

Using the Singular for Social Plans

Mistake: “¿Tienes plan para el fin de semana?”

Correction: ¿Tienes planes para el fin de semana? (Always plural when talking about things you're doing.)

proyectos

proh-YEK-tohs/pɾoˈʝektos/

nounA1general
Use 'proyectos' for more concrete, often larger-scale, future intentions or designs that require work, such as school projects or business initiatives.
A simple, cheerful cartoon figure stands next to three distinct, small objects representing different personal undertakings: a partially built wooden birdhouse, a rolled-up blueprint tied with ribbon, and a seedling growing in a flowerpot.

Examples

El equipo terminó todos los proyectos antes de la fecha límite.

The team finished all the projects before the deadline.

El equipo terminó todos los **proyectos** antes de la fecha límite.

The team finished all the **projects** before the deadline.

¿Cuáles son tus **proyectos** para el verano?

What are your **plans** for the summer?

La universidad aprobó cinco nuevos **proyectos** de investigación.

The university approved five new research **proposals**.

Plural Form

This word is the plural of the masculine noun 'proyecto.' Spanish nouns that end in a vowel simply add an 's' to become plural.

Gender Agreement

Since 'proyectos' is masculine plural, any descriptive words (adjectives) used with it must also be masculine and plural, like 'proyectos importantes' (important projects).

Using the wrong article

Mistake: “La proyectos”

Correction: Los proyectos. Since 'proyectos' is masculine and plural, it uses the masculine plural definite article 'los'.

ideas

ee-DEH-ahs/iˈðeas/

nounA1general
Use 'ideas' for abstract concepts, suggestions, or notions that are not yet concrete plans or projects.
A brightly colored illustration showing a thoughtful person sitting down, surrounded by multiple glowing lightbulbs floating above their head, symbolizing many new ideas.

Examples

Necesitamos nuevas ideas para el proyecto.

We need new ideas for the project.

¿Tienes ideas sobre dónde comer?

Do you have any ideas about where to eat?

Sus ideas políticas son muy conservadoras.

His political ideas (beliefs) are very conservative.

Feminine Plural

Since 'idea' is a feminine word, 'ideas' is also feminine and plural. Any words describing it (like adjectives) must also be plural and feminine: 'ideas originales'.

Gender Confusion

Mistake: “Using 'el ideas' or 'los ideas'.”

Correction: Always use the feminine article: 'las ideas' or 'unas ideas'. Even though the singular 'idea' ends in -a, it sometimes tricks learners because of other Spanish words ending in -a that are masculine (like 'el día').

pretende

/pre-TEN-deh//pɾeˈtende/

verbA2general
Use 'pretende' (from pretender) when talking about someone's intention or aim to do something, often a single action or goal.
A determined child in a garden holding a small shovel and intently looking at a large, ripe tomato plant, symbolizing future intention.

Examples

Ella pretende terminar la carrera este año.

She intends to finish her degree this year.

¿Qué pretende usted con esa actitud?

What do you aim to achieve with that attitude?

El equipo pretende ganar el campeonato.

The team plans to win the championship.

Verb Form Explained

This word, 'pretende', is the present tense form used with 'él' (he), 'ella' (she), or 'usted' (you, formal). It describes an action happening right now or a general intention.

False Cognate Alert!

Mistake: “Using 'pretende' when you mean 'to pretend' (as in faking or making believe).”

Correction: The correct verb for 'to pretend' in Spanish is *fingir*. 'Pretende' means 'intends' or 'aims'—it's a goal, not a deception.

planos

PLAH-nohs/ˈplanos/

nounB1technical
Use 'planos' specifically for technical drawings, blueprints, or architectural plans.
A stack of rolled-up blue architectural blueprints tied with a ribbon, next to one blueprint partially unrolled showing white technical drawing lines on a blue background.

Examples

El arquitecto nos mostró los planos del nuevo edificio.

The architect showed us the blueprints for the new building.

Necesitamos revisar los planos eléctricos antes de empezar la obra.

We need to check the electrical plans before starting the construction.

El director de fotografía usó muchos primeros planos para crear tensión.

The cinematographer used a lot of close-up shots to create tension.

Plural Noun Rule

Since 'planos' is a masculine plural noun, any descriptive words (adjectives) used with it must also be masculine and plural: 'los planos nuevos' (the new blueprints).

Plan vs. Plano

Mistake: “Using 'los planos' when you mean 'the strategy' or 'the intention.'”

Correction: Use 'el plan' (singular) or 'los planes' (plural) for strategies. Use 'los planos' only for technical drawings or visual frames.

Plans vs. Projects

The most common confusion is between 'planes' and 'proyectos'. Remember that 'planes' usually refers to less formal, immediate future arrangements, while 'proyectos' implies more structured, long-term endeavors that require significant effort or development.

Related Translations

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