adivinando
/adibinando/from spelling rules
The English word "guessing" is translated into Spanish as adivinando.
adivinando refers to the act of trying to give an answer or opinion without having all the facts.
What does it mean word for word?
adivinando is the present participle or gerund form of the verb adivinar, which means "to guess".
Which one should you use?
While adivinando describes the continuous action of guessing, you might use supongo to express the thought "I guess" or "I suppose" in a sentence. For a more formal, academic or careful approach to guessing, you can use the verb conjeturar.
How does it change in a sentence?
adivinando is the gerund form of the verb adivinar.
How do you pronounce it?
/adibinando/
Did you know?
- While adivinando describes the process, Spanish speakers often use the phrase dar palos de ciego to describe guessing blindly or haphazardly.
- The root verb adivinar shares a deep historical link with the word divino, meaning 'divine'. Originally, guessing was not seen as a random fluke but as a spiritual act of divine revelation.
- A person who specializes in 'guessing' the future is called an adivino, which is the Spanish word for a fortune teller or psychic.
Examples in context
- Estoy adivinando que es tuyo.I'm guessing it's yours.This sentence shows how to use adivinando to indicate a continuous action.Tatoeba #13367300 by mexicanhere, translation #3727518 by CM
- No estoy adivinando, solo doy mi opinión.I am not guessing, I am just giving my opinion.
- Sigue adivinando y no encontrarás la respuesta.Keep guessing and you won't find the answer.
Example conversation
María and Javier are playing a game with hidden objects.
- María¿Es un libro?Is it a book?
- JavierNo, sigues adivinando sin éxito.No, you are still guessing without success.
- María¡Es difícil jugar así!It is hard to play like this!
- Javier¡No te rindas, María!Don't give up, María!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
