supongo
/suponɡo/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase for "I guess" is supongo.
supongo is used to express a belief or assumption when the speaker is not completely certain.
What does it mean word for word?
supongo is the first-person singular present indicative of the verb suponer.
Which one should you use?
While supongo expresses a belief or assumption, it carries a slightly more formal or intellectual tone than the English "I guess" in casual conversation. The phrase me imagino can be used as a synonym for supongo when expressing a guess based on intuition or imagination.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using supongo to introduce a clause, it is almost always followed by que to mean "I guess that".
How do you pronounce it?
/suponɡo/
Did you know?
- The word supongo comes from the Latin supponere, meaning 'to place under', implying that the guess is a foundation or premise upon which a further argument is built.
- Depending on the intonation, saying ¿supongo? as a question can be used as a sarcastic way to challenge someone's statement, effectively meaning 'you probably think so, but you are wrong'.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, supongo can be used as a polite way to avoid a direct 'no' or a confrontation, acting as a social cushion to soften a disagreement.
Examples in context
- Supongo que es verdad.I guess it's true.This sentence shows how to use supongo to express a belief about whether something is true.Tatoeba #2101731 by marcelostockle, translation #1839491 by CK
- Supongo que está bien.I guess it's OK.This sentence demonstrates using supongo to express an assumption about something being OK.Tatoeba #2331088 by marcelostockle, translation #2330069 by CK
- Supongo que es posible.I guess that's possible.This sentence illustrates how to use supongo to express that something is possible.Tatoeba #4180325 by Leono, translation #2330085 by CK
- Supongo que podemos ir al cine esta noche.I guess we can go to the movies tonight.
- 84 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are talking about the weather for tomorrow.
- Alejandro¿Lloverá mañana?Will it rain tomorrow?
- MaríaSupongo que sí, mira las nubes.I guess so, look at the clouds.
- AlejandroEntonces no iremos al parque.Then we won't go to the park.
- MaríaSupongo que es la mejor idea.I guess that is the best idea.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
