Spanish Conversation · Level 16
90 words
Spanish word
gestar
Pronunciation
IPA/xesˈtaɾ/
Meaning
- verbcarry a fetus
Example
La vaca gestó un ternero durante nueve meses.
The cow carried a calf for nine months.
More examples
El equipo gestó el proyecto durante varios meses.
The team developed the project over several months.
Core concept
A gradual internal process that brings a fetus or an idea to maturity.
Common phrases
gestar un proyecto
develop a project
gestar una iniciativa
develop an initiative
Similar words
embarazarse: Becomes pregnant.
embarazar: Makes someone pregnant.
Definition in Spanish
Desarrollar y mantener en el interior del cuerpo a un feto hasta el parto; también incubar o madurar algo internamente, como un plan o una idea.
Word origin
The verb derives from Latin gestāre, a frequentative of gerere 'to carry', and therefore names both literal pregnancy and the metaphorical internal growth of something over time.
Usage tips
- The verb appears both as gestar (with a direct object) and as gestarse (to indicate a process developing on its own), so watch for the reflexive form in texts.