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How to Say "to infer" in Spanish

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deducir

/deh-doo-theer//deðuˈθiɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'deducir' when you figure something out or come to a conclusion based on clues or evidence available to you.
A detective looking at a single footprint on the ground through a magnifying glass.

Examples

Por su cara, pude deducir que estaba muy cansado.

From his face, I could gather that he was very tired.

Es difícil deducir lo que pasó sin tener pruebas.

It's hard to deduce what happened without having evidence.

¿Qué deduces de esta situación?

What do you infer from this situation?

The 'c' to 'j' swap

When talking about the past (completed actions), the 'c' in deducir changes to a 'j'. For example, 'I deduced' is 'Yo deduje', not 'deducí'.

The 'z' in the Present

When saying 'I deduce' (Present tense), we add a 'z' before the 'c' to keep the sound right: 'Yo deduzco'.

Avoid 'dedujieron'

Mistake: “Ellos dedujieron que era tarde.”

Correction: Ellos dedujeron que era tarde. (When using 'j' in the past for verbs ending in -ducir, the 'i' in the 'ieron' ending disappears.)

concluir

/kohn-kloo-EER//koŋ.kluˈiɾ/

verbB2general
Use 'concluir' when reaching a final judgment or decision after examining evidence, often in a more formal or definitive context.
A person sitting at a desk with a lightbulb glowing brightly above their head, signifying a realization.

Examples

Después de ver las pruebas, concluyeron que el sospechoso era inocente.

After seeing the evidence, they concluded that the suspect was innocent.

Podemos concluir que el cambio climático afecta a todos.

We can conclude that climate change affects everyone.

¿Qué concluyes de todo esto?

What do you conclude from all of this?

Using 'que'

When using this word to express an opinion or deduction, you almost always follow it with 'que' (that). For example: 'Concluyo que tienes razón' (I conclude that you are right).

inducir

/een-doo-SEER//induˈsiɾ/

verbC1formal
This word is rarely used for 'to infer' in the sense of logical deduction; it primarily means 'to induce' in a medical or causative sense, like inducing labor or inducing a state.
A magnet attracting metal paperclips through the air.

Examples

Tuvieron que inducir el parto por razones médicas.

They had to induce labor for medical reasons.

Este medicamento puede inducir el sueño profundo.

This medication can induce deep sleep.

A partir de estos datos, podemos inducir una regla general.

From these data points, we can infer a general rule.

Direct causation

Unlike the first meaning, when 'inducir' means 'to cause a state,' you don't use 'a'. You just put the state directly after the verb: 'inducir el sueño'.

Don't confuse 'inducir' with 'infer'

The most common mistake is assuming 'inducir' translates 'to infer'. While 'inducir' can be part of a logical process, its primary meanings are 'to cause' or 'to induce' (like labor), not to deduce or conclude from evidence. Stick to 'deducir' or 'concluir' for inferring.

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