adivinar
/adibiˈnaɾ/
To guess in Spanish is adivinar.
Adivinar is the standard verb used when someone is trying to figure out a specific hidden answer, a mystery or when playing games like solving a riddle. The noun for a riddle or a guessing game is adivinanza, which is derived from this verb.
Meaning: to reach an unconfirmed conclusion (verb)
Which one should you use?
Use adivinar when you are trying to uncover a specific hidden answer or mystery, but use suponer (to suppose or to assume) when you are making an assumption based on logic or evidence.
How do you pronounce it?
/adibiˈnaɾ/
Did you know?
- The verb adivinar is a direct relative of the English word 'divination', sharing a root that connects guessing to the act of foretelling the future.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, the expression '¡A que no lo adivinas!' is a common playful challenge used to tease friends before revealing a piece of gossip.
- In certain Spanish-speaking regions, the word adivinar is used to describe the act of 'guessing' a person's intent or mood, effectively 'divining' their emotions through intuition rather than logic.
Examples in context
- ¿Puedes adivinar su edad?Can you guess her age?This sentence is useful for asking if someone can guess the age of a person using adivinar.Tatoeba #769490 by Shishir, translation #309612 by CK
- ¿Puedes adivinar lo que tengo aquí?Can you guess what I have here?This sentence is useful for asking if someone can guess an object being held using adivinar.Tatoeba #7309195 by UsuarioX, translation #4755172 by garborg
- Nunca adivinarás qué vi esta mañana.You'll never guess what I saw this morning.This sentence is useful for stating that someone will never be able to guess a past event using adivinar.Tatoeba #3603111 by ficion, translation #3370675 by CK
- ¿Puedes adivinar cuántos años tiene?Can you guess how old he is?
- Supongo que vendrá más tarde.I guess he'll come later.
- Apuesto a que no adivinas lo que compré.I bet you can't guess what I bought.
- 18 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are playing a game at a cafe.
- Sofía¡Adivina qué tengo en la mano!Guess what I have in my hand!
- AlejandroNo puedo adivinarlo, Sofía.I cannot guess it, Sofía.
- SofíaEs algo muy pequeño y rojo.It is something very small and red.
- AlejandroDéjame adivinar una vez más.Let me guess one more time.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry adivinar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries adivinar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
