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How to Say "to invent" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to invent” is “inventar” — use 'inventar' when referring to the creation of a new device, machine, or process, especially a tangible invention.

English → Spanish

inventar

een-ben-TARimbenˈtaɾ

verbA2general
Use 'inventar' when referring to the creation of a new device, machine, or process, especially a tangible invention.
A friendly inventor in a workshop holding a unique, glowing mechanical gadget with gears and light bulbs.

Examples

Thomas Edison inventó la bombilla.

Thomas Edison invented the lightbulb.

Quiero inventar una aplicación para aprender idiomas.

I want to invent an app for learning languages.

A Friendly Regular Verb

Inventar follows the standard pattern for verbs ending in 'ar,' which makes it one of the easiest groups to conjugate!

Inventing vs. Discovering

Mistake: “Using 'inventar' for things that already existed.”

Correction: Use 'descubrir' (to discover) for things that were already there but hidden, like a new planet or a chemical element. Use 'inventar' for things you create from scratch.

crear

kray-ARkɾeˈaɾ

verbA1general
Use 'crear' for the general act of bringing something new into existence, which can be a concept, an object, or even an artistic work.
A pair of gentle hands holding a small, brightly glowing, newly formed star above a dark, empty background.

Examples

Ella quiere crear un vestido nuevo para la fiesta.

She wants to create a new dress for the party.

El artista pasó meses creando esa escultura.

The artist spent months creating that sculpture.

Necesitamos crear una contraseña segura.

We need to create a secure password.

A Regular Verb

Crear is a regular -ar verb, meaning its endings follow the standard, predictable pattern in all tenses. This makes it easy to conjugate!

Crear vs. Criar

Mistake: “Using 'crear' when you mean 'to raise' or 'to breed' (like raising children or animals).”

Correction: Use 'criar' (to raise/to breed) instead of 'crear' in those contexts. 'Crear' is only for generating something new.

descubrir

dess-koo-BREERdeskuˈβɾiɾ

verbB1general
Use 'descubrir' when the 'invention' is actually the identification or finding of something that already existed but was unknown, often in a scientific context.
A smiling scientist holding up a newly invented wooden wheel and axle.

Examples

Marie Curie descubrió el radio y el polonio.

Marie Curie discovered (invented/identified) radium and polonium.

Los científicos creen que pronto descubrirán la cura.

Scientists believe they will soon discover the cure.

idear

ee-deh-ahri.ðeˈaɾ

verbB1general
Use 'idear' when the focus is on conceiving or thinking up a new plan, strategy, or solution, rather than physically building something.
A small bird using a twig to reach a piece of fruit on a high branch.

Examples

Tenemos que idear un plan para la fiesta de cumpleaños.

We have to think up a plan for the birthday party.

Ella ideó un sistema nuevo para organizar los libros.

She devised a new system for organizing the books.

El arquitecto ideó una estructura que resiste terremotos.

The architect designed a structure that resists earthquakes.

A Fully Regular Verb

Good news! This verb follows all the standard rules for verbs ending in -ar. It doesn't have any tricky spelling changes or weird stem swaps.

Idear vs. Pensar

While 'pensar' is just the act of thinking, 'idear' implies you are actually building something in your mind—like a blueprint or a creative solution.

Using 'pensar' for creative acts

Mistake: “Pensé un plan muy complejo.”

Correction: Ideé un plan muy complejo.

fabricar

fah-bree-KAHRfaβɾiˈkaɾ

verbB2informal
Use 'fabricar' when 'inventing' means to make up or construct something non-physical, like a story, excuse, or lie.
A child with an imaginative expression pointing towards a friendly purple dragon in the room.

Examples

Él fabricó una mentira increíble para salir del problema.

He made up an incredible lie to get out of the problem.

No intentes fabricar excusas ahora.

Don't try to make up excuses now.

Metaphorical Building

Think of this like 'building' a story piece by piece. Just like building a car, you are carefully constructing a lie or excuse.

Inventar vs. Descubrir

Learners often confuse 'inventar' and 'descubrir.' Remember that 'inventar' is for creating something entirely new that didn't exist before, like a machine. 'Descubrir' is for finding something that already existed but was unknown, like a scientific element or a new land.

Related Translations

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