tentativo
/tentaˈtibo/
The English word "tentative" is translated into Spanish as tentativo. Wiktionary also lists indeciso.
Meaning: uncertain (adj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| tentativo | /tentaˈtibo/ |
| indeciso | /indeˈθiso/ /indeˈsiso/ |
In a professional or business context, tentativo is used to describe things that are not yet finalized, such as plans, dates or agreements.
Which one should you use?
Use indeciso to describe a person who is unable to make a decision, whereas tentativo is used for things that are unconfirmed or provisional, like a schedule.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective tentativo must agree in gender with the noun it modifies. It becomes tentativa when modifying a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/tentaˈtibo/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using tentativo to mean "hesitant" when describing a person's movement or lack of confidence. In those cases, it is more natural to use indeciso or vacilante.
Did you know?
- In a legal context, the feminine form tentativa is used as a noun to describe an 'attempted crime', such as tentativa de homicidio for attempted murder.
- Calling a person tentativo in Spanish can accidentally imply they are conducting a scientific experiment or a test rather than being unsure.
- The root of tentativo is also found in the Spanish verb tentar, which can mean 'to touch', 'to tempt', or 'to try', creating a conceptual link between testing something and feeling it out.
Examples in context
- Tenemos un acuerdo provisional para el proyectoWe have a tentative agreement for the project
- Es solo una hipótesis conjetural, nada está confirmadoIt's merely a tentative hypothesis, nothing is confirmed
- La respuesta es aproximada, no estoy seguro del número exactoThe answer is tentative, I'm not sure of the exact number
- A ver si podemos hacerlo en otra fechaLet's see if we can do it on another date
- El contrato es provisional hasta que firmemos uno definitivo.The contract is tentative until we sign a final one.
- Hice un plan tentativo para el viaje.I made a tentative plan for the trip.
- El horario todavía es tentativo.The schedule is still tentative.
- Tenemos un acuerdo tentativo sobre el precio.We have a tentative agreement about the price.
Example conversation
Daniel and María are discussing their plans for a meeting.
- Daniel¿Tienes una fecha para la reunión?Do you have a date for the meeting?
- MaríaSolo tengo un plan tentativo por ahora.I only have a tentative plan for now.
- DanielEstá bien, avísame cuando sea seguro.That's fine, let me know when it's certain.
- MaríaTe lo confirmaré pronto, Daniel.I will confirm it with you soon, Daniel.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tentative” translations and entries tentativo, indeciso, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
