predicar
/pɾediˈkaɾ/
The English verb 'preach' is translated into Spanish as predicar.
predicar is the most common and generic translation for 'preach' in Spanish. It can be used in a religious sense, such as delivering a sermon, but it is also frequently used figuratively to mean lecturing someone or advocating for a certain way of life. If you want to specifically describe the act of delivering a sermon in a religious context, you might use pronunciar un sermón. Another related verb, exhortar, carries a similar meaning of passionately urging or encouraging someone. If you want to describe someone delivering a long and tedious speech, the phrase soltar un sermón is often employed.
Meaning: give a sermon (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase predicar con el ejemplo is a common idiom meaning 'to practice what one preaches'. It is a literal translation of 'to preach with the example'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The third-person singular present indicative form of predicar is predica (he/she preaches), and the first-person singular preterite form is prediqué (I preached).
How do you pronounce it?
/pɾediˈkaɾ/
Did you know?
- The word predicar shares a root with the English word 'predict', as both stem from the Latin root for 'saying' or 'proclaiming'.
- The phrase predicar en el desierto uses a biblical image to describe a situation where someone is speaking but is being completely ignored.
- A person who is habitually preachy is called a sermoneador, transforming a religious action into a descriptive personality trait.
Examples in context
- Nadie tiene derecho a predicar la abstinencia.No one has the right to preach abstinence.This sentence shows how to use predicar regarding the right to advocate for something.Tatoeba #10921762 by Eremon, translation #3390210 by _undertoad
- Sabes muy bien que no quieren escucharte, y que no te van a escuchar. ¿Por qué predicar a oídos sordos?You know very well that they don't want to, and won't, listen to you. Why preach to deaf ears?This sentence uses predicar in the context of an idiom about preaching to deaf ears.Tatoeba #2624689 by Shishir, translation #2621133 by FeuDRenais2
- El sacerdote predicó un sermón conmovedor.The priest preached a moving sermon.
- El pastor pronunció un sermón sobre la fe y la esperanza.The pastor preached a sermon about faith and hope.
- Mi mamá siempre me da un sermón sobre mis deberes.My mom always preaches to me about my responsibilities.
- Mi tío siempre suelta un sermón aburrido en las reuniones familiares.My uncle always preaches a boring sermon at family gatherings.
- El cura va a predicar en la iglesia.The priest is going to preach in the church.
Example conversation
Mateo and María are discussing a church event.
- MateoMaría, ¿quién va a predicar mañana?María, who is going to preach tomorrow?
- MaríaEl nuevo pastor quiere predicar él mismo.The new pastor wants to preach himself.
- MateoMe pregunto qué tema elegirá.I wonder what topic he will choose.
- MaríaCreo que hablará sobre la esperanza.I think he will talk about hope.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “preach” translations and entries predicar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries predicar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
