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How to Say "to foresee" in Spanish

English → Spanish

prever

/pre-BER//pɾeˈβeɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'prever' when talking about the general ability or difficulty of seeing or knowing what will happen in the future, often with a sense of prediction.
A hiker looking through binoculars at a distant rain cloud while holding an umbrella.

Examples

Es difícil prever el futuro.

It is difficult to foresee the future.

Nadie pudo prever lo que iba a pasar.

No one could anticipate what was going to happen.

El gobierno prevé un aumento de las temperaturas este verano.

The government anticipates a rise in temperatures this summer.

It follows the pattern of 'ver'

Think of this word as 'pre-' + 'ver' (to see). This means it conjugates exactly like 'ver'. If 'ver' becomes 'veo', 'prever' becomes 'preveo'.

The special past form

The past version (participle) of 'ver' is 'visto'. Naturally, the past version of 'prever' is 'previsto' (foreseen).

Don't add an extra 'e'

Mistake: “preever”

Correction: prever (only one 'e' after the 'r'). Many learners confuse this with 'proveer' (to provide), which does have two 'e's.

Wrong 'Yo' form

Mistake: “Yo prevé”

Correction: Yo preveo. Remember, since it's like 'ver', the 'yo' form must end in -veo.

anticipar

/an-tee-see-PAR//antiθiˈpaɾ/

verbB2general
Choose 'anticipar' when you mean to expect or anticipate a specific event, often implying preparedness or a reaction to the expected occurrence.
A person looking through a telescope at a bright star that is just beginning to appear over the horizon.

Examples

Nadie pudo anticipar la crisis económica.

Nobody could have foreseen the economic crisis.

El autor anticipa el final en el primer capítulo.

The author foreshadows/previews the ending in the first chapter.

Es bueno anticipar las necesidades de los clientes.

It is good to anticipate the customers' needs.

Anticipar vs. Esperar

'Esperar' is for waiting or hoping. 'Anticipar' is more active—it implies you are mentally preparing for something you see coming.

Using with results

When used with news or results, it means to give a hint or a summary before the official full report is out.

Literal Translation

Mistake: “Anticipo que va a llover.”

Correction: Preveo que va a llover. While 'anticipar' is okay, 'prever' is more common for weather or simple physical events.

vislumbrar

bees-loom-BRAR/bis.lumˈbɾaɾ/

verbC1general
Use 'vislumbrar' when you are imagining or seeing the faintest signs of a future outcome, often suggesting a hopeful or emerging possibility.
A small sprout growing in the soil with a faint, glowing silhouette of a large leafy tree surrounding it.

Examples

Ya se empieza a vislumbrar una solución al conflicto.

A solution to the conflict is already starting to be foreseen.

Vislumbro un futuro lleno de oportunidades para ti.

I foresee a future full of opportunities for you.

En sus palabras se vislumbraba un profundo arrepentimiento.

In his words, one could sense a deep regret.

Abstract Use

When used for ideas, it often means you are just beginning to see or understand something that was previously hidden or unclear.

Prever vs. Anticipar

Learners often confuse 'prever' and 'anticipar'. 'Prever' is more about the general act of predicting the future, while 'anticipar' implies expecting a specific event and often acting upon that expectation.

Related Translations

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