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How to Say "promises" in Spanish

English → Spanish

promesas

/proh-MEH-sas//pɾoˈmesas/

noun (plural)A1general
Use 'promesas' when referring to the plural noun meaning commitments, vows, or assurances that have been made.
A close-up illustration of two stylized hands, one blue and one yellow, linking pinky fingers together in the gesture of a pinky promise, symbolizing commitment.

Examples

No puedes vivir de promesas vacías.

You can't live on empty promises.

Ella siempre cumple sus promesas.

She always keeps her promises.

Hicieron muchas promesas antes de las elecciones.

They made many promises before the elections.

Feminine Plural

Since the base word promesa ends in '-a', it is a feminine word. The plural form promesas always takes feminine articles and adjectives, like las promesas (the promises) or promesas importantes (important promises).

Using the wrong article

Mistake: “Los promesas son importantes.”

Correction: Las promesas son importantes. Remember to use 'las' because 'promesas' is feminine and plural.

promete

/pro-MEH-teh//pɾoˈmete/

verbA2general
Use 'promete' (the third-person singular present tense of 'prometer') when talking about someone (he, she, it) or you (formal) making a promise or vow in the present.
A child crossing their fingers behind their back while making a pinky swear with a friend.

Examples

Él promete que terminará el trabajo mañana.

He promises that he will finish the work tomorrow.

Usted promete mucho, pero hace poco.

You promise a lot, but you do little.

Who is promising?

Use 'promete' when talking about a third person (he, she, or a thing) or when speaking politely to someone using 'usted'.

Using it for 'I promise'

Mistake: “Yo promete que voy.”

Correction: Say 'Yo prometo' when talking about yourself. 'Promete' is for other people.

Noun vs. Verb Confusion

The most common mistake is using the noun 'promesas' when you need the verb 'promete,' or vice-versa. Remember, 'promesas' refers to the promises themselves (plural noun), while 'promete' is the action of promising (verb).

Related Translations

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