improvisar
/impɾobiˈsaɾ/
The English phrase "just wing it" can be translated into Spanish as improvisar.
Improvisar is used to describe both creative improvisation, such as playing music and the act of performing a task without any prior preparation, such as giving a speech.
How does it change in a sentence?
Improvisar is a regular -ar verb, which means you conjugate it following the same pattern as hablar.
How do you pronounce it?
/impɾobiˈsaɾ/
Did you know?
- The word improvisar is a linguistic relative of the English word 'vision' because both derive from the same Latin root regarding seeing.
- If you are 'winging it' while walking or moving in Spanish-speaking regions, you might say you are improvisando sobre la marcha, which translates to 'improvising on the march'.
- Spanish uses the single verb improvisar for situations where English might use several different idioms like 'play it by ear' or 'fly by the seat of one's pants'.
Examples in context
- No tuvimos tiempo de prepararnos, así que tuvimos que improvisar la presentación.We didn't have time to prepare, so we had to wing the presentation.
- No teníamos la receta para la cena, así que decidimos hacerlo sobre la marcha con lo que teníamos en la nevera.We didn't have the recipe for dinner, so we decided to just wing it with what was in the fridge.
- No tengo un plan, voy a improvisar.I don't have a plan, I'm going to wing it.
- No estudiaste nada, así que vas a tener que improvisar.You didn't study anything, so you're going to have to wing it.
- Prefiero improvisar en lugar de seguir un guion.I prefer to wing it instead of following a script.
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are discussing a presentation at work.
- Alejandro¿Ya preparaste tu discurso para la reunión?Did you prepare your speech for the meeting yet?
- MaríaNo, prefiero improvisar sobre la marcha.No, I prefer to just wing it as I go.
- AlejandroTen cuidado, María, no es buena idea.Be careful, María, it is not a good idea.
- MaríaNo te preocupes, Alejandro, lo haré bien.Don't worry, Alejandro, I'll do fine.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry improvisar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries improvisar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
