Spanish word

ponderar

Pronunciation

IPA/pondeˈɾaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbconsider

Example

Hay que ponderar los riesgos antes de firmar.

One must consider the risks before signing.

Illustration for ponderar (consider)

More examples

Antes de responder, conviene ponderar las opciones disponibles.

Before answering, it's advisable to consider the options available.

Core concept

Balance scale tipping between advantages and disadvantages.

Common phrases

  • ponderar las opciones

    consider the options

  • ponderar los riesgos

    consider the risks

Similar words

considerar: Takes careful account of relevant facts or opinions when deciding.
pensar: Has thoughts, ideas, or opinions about something in an everyday mental way.
sopesar: Weighs opposing points by estimating their relative importance.
reflexionar: Contemplates quietly to arrange and make sense of ideas internally.

Definition in Spanish

Sopesar las ventajas y desventajas de algo, pensando con calma antes de decidir.

Word origin

It comes from Latin ponderare 'to weigh' (from pondus 'weight'), originally meaning to measure weight and later to mean weighing the merits of ideas or options.

Usage tips

  • More formal than pensar and often found in advisory, legal, or academic language, while everyday conversation often uses pensar or valorar instead.

Other meanings

  • evaluateverb
  • ponderverb

Opposites

Related words

  • ponderaciónconsiderationnoun
  • ponderadocarefuladjective
  • ponderableworth consideringadjective

Word lists with this word