inferir
/infeˈɾiɾ/
The English phrase 'infer' is translated into Spanish as inferir.
The verb inferir is used to introduce something as a reasoned conclusion or to conclude through reasoning and deduction, such as from premises or evidence.
Meaning: to introduce (something) as a reasoned conclusion, to conclude by reasoning or deduction, as from premises or evidence (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb inferir is irregular. The first-person singular present indicative is infiero (I infer). In the past tense (preterite), the third-person singular is infirió (he/she/it inferred) and the third-person plural is infirieron (they inferred).
How do you pronounce it?
/infeˈɾiɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly conjugate inferir as a regular -ir verb, but it is an irregular verb where the stem changes to infier- in many forms, such as infiero, infieres or infiere.
Did you know?
- The Spanish verb inferir comes from the Latin word īnferre, which literally means 'to carry in'.
- In a formal debate in Spanish, if you say infiero que…, you are signaling a high level of intellectual rigor compared to simply saying 'I think'.
- In formal Spanish logic and law, inferir is often used to describe the process of deriving a legal consequence from a specific fact.
Examples in context
- El profesor pudo inferir la respuesta correcta basándose en las evidencias presentadas.The professor was able to infer the correct answer based on the evidence presented.
- Deducimos que el autor tenía conocimiento previo del tema por la profundidad de sus argumentos.We infer that the author had prior knowledge of the subject due to the depth of their arguments.
- Al ver su expresión facial, concluí que no le gustó la película.By observing their facial expression, I inferred that they did not like the movie.
- No sé qué ocurrió exactamente, pero puedo sacar conclusiones basadas en su reacción.I don't know exactly what happened, but I can infer things based on their reaction.
- De lo que dijiste, puedo inferir que no estás de acuerdo.From what you said, I can infer that you do not agree.
- Podemos inferir la causa del problema.We can infer the cause of the problem.
- No es fácil inferir su intención.It is not easy to infer her intention.
- ¿Qué puedes inferir de este informe?What can you infer from this report?
Example conversation
Two students are analyzing a poem for class.
- DanielDaniel, ¿qué crees que siente el autor aquí?Daniel, what do you think the author feels here?
- LucíaCreo que podemos inferir que está muy triste.I think we can infer that he is very sad.
- DanielTienes razón, el lenguaje es muy melancólico.You are right, the language is very melancholy.
- LucíaExacto, Lucía, todo indica que es una pérdida.Exactly, Lucía, everything indicates it is a loss.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “infer” translations and entries inferir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries inferir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
