predicado
/pɾediˈkado/masculine
In Spanish, the grammatical term for predicate is predicado.
The word predicado refers to the part of a sentence that provides information about the subject. To emphasize that the predicate is centered around a verb, you may use the term Predicado verbal.
Meaning: grammar: part of sentence that states something about its subject (noun)
Which one should you use?
While predicado is the literal translation for the grammatical noun, the related verb predicar means to preach or to proclaim, which is a different concept.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun predicado is masculine and is used with the definite article el (el predicado).
How do you pronounce it?
/pɾediˈkado/
Did you know?
- The verb predicar, from which predicado is derived, is used in the common Spanish idiom predicar con el ejemplo, which means to 'lead by example'.
- In Spanish, you can have a predicado without a visible subject. This is called sujeto tácito and is a common feature of the language where the subject is understood from the verb ending.
- The Spanish word predicado shares a Latin root with the English word 'predict', though in Spanish it evolved toward the act of proclaiming a truth rather than forecasting the future.
Examples in context
- Esta oración tiene un predicado pero ningún sujeto.This sentence has a predicate but no subject.This sentence is useful for illustrating a case where a sentence contains the form predicado but lacks a subject.Tatoeba #715707 by darinmex, translation #715700 by darinmex
- El predicado de la oración se refiere a lo que se dice del sujeto.The predicate of the sentence refers to what is said about the subject.
- El predicado de la oración es muy largo.The predicate of the sentence is very long.
- Debes identificar el predicado correctamente.You must identify the predicate correctly.
Example conversation
Two students are studying grammar together in a library.
- MateoMaría, ¿puedes ayudarme con este ejercicio?Maria, can you help me with this exercise?
- MaríaClaro, Mateo, ¿qué problema tienes?Sure, Mateo, what problem are you having?
- MateoNo encuentro el predicado en esta frase.I cannot find the predicate in this sentence.
- MaríaEs la parte que describe la acción.It is the part that describes the action.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “predicate” translations and entries predicado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
