prevenir
/pɾebeˈniɾ/
The English verb prevent is translated into Spanish as prevenir.
prevenir is used to express the act of keeping something from happening. It is also the root of the noun prevención, which means prevention.
Meaning: to keep from happening (verb)
Which one should you use?
While English distinguishes between 'to prevent' (stopping an event) and 'to warn' (alerting someone), the Spanish word prevenir can mean both. Depending on the context, prevenir can mean to stop something from occurring or to alert someone to a danger.
How do you pronounce it?
/pɾebeˈniɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using prevenir a when you mean 'to prevent someone'. In Spanish, prevenir a alguien most commonly means 'to warn someone' rather than stopping them from doing something.
Did you know?
- The Spanish prevenir comes from the Latin praeveniō, which literally means 'to come before'. It combines prae for 'before' and veniō for 'I come'.
- In Spanish, the expression más vale prevenir que curar is a common proverb. It translates to 'it is better to prevent than to cure'.
- While prevenir is used for medical prevention, Spanish uses different verbs like evitar for avoiding a mistake or impedir for physically blocking someone.
Examples in context
- ¿Somos capaces de prevenir la enfermedad?Are we able to prevent disease?This sentence is useful for discussing the ability to prevent the disease using prevenir.Tatoeba #3357599 by marcelostockle, translation #318467 by CM
- ¿Te gustaría saber cómo prevenir las arrugas?Would you like to know how to prevent getting wrinkles?This sentence is useful for asking how to prevent wrinkles using prevenir.Tatoeba #1001058 by Shishir, translation #954702 by CK
- ¿Cómo puedo prevenir que mi gato mate pájaros?How can I prevent my cat from killing birds?This sentence is useful for asking how to prevent a pet's behavior using prevenir.Tatoeba #2324911 by marcelostockle, translation #1853633 by Spamster
- Para prevenir lesiones, es importante evitar accidentes.To prevent injuries, it is important to avoid accidents.
- El techo de la casa fue construido para dificultar el acceso a los ladrones.The roof of the house was built to prevent access by thieves.
- Mi hermano me impide dormir cuando llega tarde por la noche.My brother prevents me from sleeping when he arrives late at night.
- Debes tomar medidas para parar el avance de la enfermedad.You must take measures to prevent the advancement of the disease.
- Intento prevenir accidentes en la cocina.I try to prevent accidents in the kitchen.
- Ellos evitaron la propagación del incendio.They prevented the fire from spreading.
- Las medidas tomadas impidieron el desarrollo de la enfermedad.The measures taken prevented the development of the disease.
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are discussing work safety measures.
- MateoDebemos prevenir los accidentes en la obra.We must prevent accidents at the construction site.
- ElenaTienes razón, la seguridad es lo primero.You are right, safety comes first.
- Mateo¿Podemos prevenir cualquier riesgo con este equipo?Can we prevent any risk with this equipment?
- ElenaSí, ayudará mucho a prevenir problemas.Yes, it will help a lot to prevent problems.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “prevent” translations and entries prevenir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries prevenir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
