Inklingo

How to Say "to guess" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to guess” is “adivinar” — use 'adivinar' when you are trying to find the correct answer to a question, puzzle, or riddle, often with incomplete information.

English → Spanish

adivinar

ah-dee-vee-NARaðiβiˈnaɾ

verbA2
Use 'adivinar' when you are trying to find the correct answer to a question, puzzle, or riddle, often with incomplete information.
A small child with a hopeful expression pointing toward one of two identical closed wooden boxes sitting on a table, symbolizing making a guess.

Examples

Intenta adivinar mi edad. ¡Es imposible!

Try to guess my age. It's impossible!

No pude adivinar la respuesta correcta del juego.

I couldn't guess the correct answer to the game.

¿Cómo adivinaste que iba a llamarte?

How did you know (figure out/guess) I was going to call you?

Regular -AR Verb

This verb is easy because it follows the standard pattern for all verbs ending in -ar. Just remember the endings: -o, -as, -a, -amos, -áis, -an.

When to use 'Adivinar'

Use 'adivinar' when you are making a guess based on intuition or limited information, rather than using 'calcular' (to calculate) which implies math or logic.

Confusing 'Adivinar' and 'Averiguar'

Mistake: “Using 'adivinar' when you mean 'to find out' (averiguar) by investigation or research.”

Correction: Use 'adivinar' only for guessing. If you found the information, say 'Averigüé la verdad' (I found out the truth).

creer

kreh-EHRkɾeˈeɾ

verbA1
Use 'creer' when you are making an educated guess or forming an opinion about something you think is likely to be true.
A person standing outside, looking up at the sky with a thoughtful expression. A small, clear thought bubble above their head contains a fluffy rain cloud and a single drop of rain, representing an opinion.

Examples

Creo que va a llover.

I think it's going to rain.

Ellos no creen la historia.

They don't believe the story.

¿Crees que es una buena idea?

Do you think it's a good idea?

Stating Beliefs vs. Expressing Doubt

When you state a belief with 'creo que...', use the normal verb form. Example: 'Creo que es verdad' (I think it's true). But when you express doubt with 'no creo que...', the next verb changes to a special form (the subjunctive). Example: 'No creo que sea verdad' (I don't think it's true). This is a key difference from English!

Mixing up 'creer' and 'pensar'

Mistake: “'Pienso que va a llover.'”

Correction: 'Creo que va a llover.' While both mean 'to think', 'creer' is much more common for expressing everyday opinions and beliefs. Use 'pensar' more for the active process of thinking or pondering.

suponer

soo-poh-NEHRsu.poˈneɾ

verbA2informal
Use 'suponer' for an informal estimation or assumption about a situation or someone's actions.
A person looking at a cloudy sky and holding an umbrella, guessing it will rain.

Examples

Supongo que vas a venir a la fiesta.

I suppose you're coming to the party.

No supongas nada hasta que hables con ella.

Don't assume anything until you talk to her.

The 'Poner' Connection

This word is just the word 'poner' (to put) with 'su-' at the start. Every time you change the ending of 'poner,' do the exact same thing for 'suponer'!

The 'Yo' form error

Mistake: “Yo supono”

Correction: Yo supongo

especular

es-peh-koo-LAHRespekuˈlaɾ

verbB2
Use 'especular' when you are forming theories or opinions about something without having firm evidence, often in a context of news or business.
A person looking at a cloudy sky with a thoughtful expression, holding a magnifying glass over a question mark made of clouds.

Examples

La prensa no deja de especular sobre el futuro del jugador.

The press won't stop speculating about the player's future.

Es inútil especular sin tener todos los datos.

It is useless to speculate without having all the data.

Muchos especulan que la empresa cerrará pronto.

Many are guessing that the company will close soon.

Using Prepositions

When you want to say what you are speculating 'about,' use the word 'sobre' or 'con' right after the verb.

Expressing Doubt

When using 'especular' to show you are unsure, the second part of your sentence often uses a special verb form (the subjunctive) or words like 'si' (if).

Spelling confusion

Mistake: “especualar”

Correction: especular (it follows the standard 'ar' pattern).

intuir

een-twee-eerinˈtwir

verbB2
Use 'intuir' when you have a feeling or premonition about something, especially a future event or a hidden truth, based on instinct.
A curious cat pausing and looking toward a closed door as if it senses someone approaching.

Examples

Puedo intuir que algo no va bien.

I can sense that something isn't going well.

Ella intuyó la verdad desde el primer momento.

She sensed the truth from the very first moment.

Es difícil intuir qué pasará en las próximas elecciones.

It is difficult to guess what will happen in the next elections.

The 'Y' Spelling Change

For verbs like intuir, construction, or fluir, the 'i' changes to a 'y' when it sits between two other vowels. This helps keep the sounds distinct.

Using 'que' after Intuir

Just like the verb 'think' (pensar), 'intuir' is usually followed by the word 'que' when you want to describe the specific thing you are sensing.

Missing the 'Y'

Mistake: “Yo intuo que va a llover.”

Correction: Yo intuyo que va a llover. You must add the 'y' in most present tense forms to make it sound right!

Guessing vs. Believing vs. Supposing

Learners often confuse 'adivinar' (solving a puzzle) with 'creer' or 'suponer' (making an estimate or assumption). Remember, 'adivinar' implies finding a specific, often unknown, answer, while 'creer' and 'suponer' are about forming an opinion or making an informal estimate.

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