Inklingo

How to Say "to conceive" in Spanish

English → Spanish

concebir

kon-seh-BEERkonseˈβiɾ

verbB1
Use 'concebir' when referring to the biological process of becoming pregnant.
A tiny, glowing seed-like spark inside a soft, warm protective circle.

Examples

La pareja intentó concebir durante dos años.

The couple tried to conceive for two years.

Es posible concebir de forma natural a esa edad.

It is possible to conceive naturally at that age.

Tras muchos tratamientos, finalmente logró concebir.

After many treatments, she finally managed to conceive.

Spelling Change

The 'e' in the root changes to an 'i' in all present tense forms except for 'we' (nosotros) and 'you all' (vosotros).

Confusing Pregnancy Terms

Mistake: “Saying 'Ella concibió ayer' to mean she is simply pregnant.”

Correction: Use 'Está embarazada' for the state of being pregnant. 'Concebir' refers specifically to the moment of starting the pregnancy.

imaginar

ee-mah-hee-NARimaɣiˈnaɾ

verbA2
Use 'imaginar' when you mean to think up, visualize, or come up with an idea or plan.
A child smiling while looking up at a brightly colored, imagined object floating above their head, specifically a small, colorful whale with wings.

Examples

No puedo imaginar un mundo sin música.

I can't imagine a world without music.

Ella imagina que su mascota puede hablar.

She pictures that her pet can talk.

¿Qué imaginas que haremos mañana?

What do you imagine we will do tomorrow?

Direct Object Use

When you imagine a specific thing, that thing is the direct object: 'Imagino el viaje' (I imagine the trip).

Confusing 'Imaginar' and 'Soñar'

Mistake: “Using 'soñar' (to dream) when you mean 'to picture something consciously'.”

Correction: 'Imaginar' is for conscious mental pictures; 'soñar' is usually reserved for sleeping or strong aspirations.

engendrar

en-hen-DRARenxenˈdɾaɾ

verbC1formal
Use 'engendrar' specifically for the biological act of procreation or begetting offspring.
A parent bird standing in a nest, feeding three small, fluffy baby birds.

Examples

Abraham engendró a Isaac.

Abraham begot Isaac.

Tienen dificultades para engendrar un hijo de forma natural.

They have difficulty conceiving a child naturally.

El espécimen tiene la capacidad de engendrar descendencia fuerte.

The specimen has the capacity to produce strong offspring.

Formal Procreation

In everyday Spanish, people usually say 'tener un hijo' (to have a child). 'Engendrar' is used when the focus is on the act of biological creation or in legal/medical documents.

Confusion with 'nacer'

Mistake: “Él engendró en 1990.”

Correction: Él nació en 1990. 'Engendrar' is what the parents do to create the child, while 'nacer' is the act of being born.

Conceiving vs. Imagining

Learners often confuse 'concebir' (to become pregnant) with 'imaginar' (to imagine/think up). Remember that 'concebir' is almost always about pregnancy, while 'imaginar' deals with thoughts and ideas.

Related Translations

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