Spanish word

indicativo

Pronunciation

IPA/indikaˈtiβo/

Meaning

  • masculine nounindicative mood

Example

En español usamos el indicativo para hablar de hechos.

In Spanish we use the indicative mood to talk about facts.

Illustration for indicativo (indicative mood)

More examples

¿Puedes dar un ejemplo en indicativo?

Can you give an example in the indicative?

Core concept

The grammatical mood for telling what is real or known.

Common phrases

  • uso del indicativo

    use of the indicative

  • formas del indicativo

    forms of the indicative

Similar words

subjuntivo: Signals desire, doubt, or counterfactual and hypothetical remarks.
imperativo: Gives orders, directions, or firm instructions to a listener.

Definition in Spanish

Modo verbal que sirve para enunciar afirmaciones, certezas y datos objetivos.

Word origin

Borrowed from Latin indicativus, based on indicare 'to show or point out', naming the mood that 'indicates' a statement as factual.

Usage tips

  • Speakers often use the indicative even after verbs like 'creer' when the speaker treats the idea as a fact, so the choice follows degree of certainty rather than the verb alone.

Other meanings

  • area codenoun
  • suggestiveadjective

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word