Inklingo

How to Say "speculation" in Spanish

English → Spanish

especulación

nounC1general
Use this word when referring to financial or market activities where people buy and sell assets hoping to profit from price changes, or for media-driven guesses.

Examples

La especulación inmobiliaria ha subido los precios de la vivienda.

Real estate speculation has raised housing prices.

conjetura

kon-heh-TOO-rahkoŋxeˈtuɾa

nounB2general
Choose this word when you mean a guess or hypothesis based on incomplete information, similar to a reasoned assumption.
A child looking at a large glass jar filled with colorful jellybeans, tapping their chin thoughtfully while trying to estimate the amount.

Examples

No tengo pruebas, es solo una conjetura.

I don't have proof, it's just a guess.

Su teoría se basa en puras conjeturas.

His theory is based on pure speculation.

Las conjeturas sobre el fin del mundo son muy comunes.

Speculations about the end of the world are very common.

Always Feminine

Even though it sounds quite formal, it follows the standard pattern for words ending in '-a' and is always feminine (la conjetura).

Using it with 'Ser'

When you want to say something is 'just a guess,' you usually say 'es una conjetura' or 'son conjeturas' in the plural.

Noun vs. Verb

Mistake: “Yo conjetura que él vendrá.”

Correction: Yo conjeturo que él vendrá (or 'Mi conjetura es que...'). 'Conjetura' is the name of the thing; use the verb 'conjeturar' for the action.

rumor

roo-MORruˈmoɾ

nounA2general
Use this word for unverified information or gossip that is being circulated among people.
Two stylized figures sharing a secret, where a bright purple cloud shape emanates from the speaker's mouth into the listener's ear, visually symbolizing the spreading of an unverified story or gossip.

Examples

Hay un rumor de que van a cerrar la tienda.

There's a rumor that they are going to close the store.

El director desmintió el rumor inmediatamente.

The director denied the rumor immediately.

No debes creer todos los rumores que circulan.

You shouldn't believe all the rumors that are going around.

Gender Check

Remember that 'rumor' is a masculine noun, so you must use 'el' or 'un' before it: 'el rumor' (the rumor).

False Cognate Warning

Mistake: “Using 'ruido' (noise) when you mean 'rumor' (gossip).”

Correction: While related, 'ruido' means a loud, physical noise. Use 'rumor' when referring to unverified talk or news.

Especulación vs. Conjetura

Learners often confuse 'especulación' and 'conjetura' because both mean 'guess'. Remember that 'especulación' is more common for financial contexts or media speculation, while 'conjetura' implies a more personal, reasoned guess without strong evidence.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.