Spanish word

estimar

Pronunciation

IPA/estiˈmaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbrespect

Example

Yo estimo mucho a mi profesor.

I respect my teacher a lot.

Illustration for estimar (respect)

More examples

Es importante estimar la opinión de los demás.

It is important to esteem the opinions of others.

Core concept

Treating a person with affectionate respect.

Common phrases

  • estimar a alguien

    hold someone in esteem

  • estimar mucho a alguien

    hold someone in high esteem

  • estimar la opinión de alguien

    esteem someone's opinion

Similar words

respetar: Shows regard for another's rights, social role, and personal boundaries.
apreciar: Recognizes and cherishes positive qualities in someone or something.
admirar: Feels admiration for someone's abilities, achievements, or actions.
valorar: Assesses the importance or worth of a person or thing.

Definition in Spanish

Tratar a una persona con aprecio y respeto, indicando que se le tiene en buena estima.

Word origin

From Latin aestimare 'to value', originally meaning 'judge worth', Spanish estimar came to mean both to esteem someone and, in formal contexts, to estimate or evaluate.

Usage tips

  • In expressions like 'te estimo' the verb commonly conveys care or affection as well as esteem, so translations like 'I care for you' can be more natural than a literal 'I respect you'.

Other meanings

  • valueverb
  • evaluateverb

Opposites

  • despreciarscornverb
  • menospreciarbelittleverb

Related words

Word lists with this word