Spanish word

pretendiente

Pronunciation

IPA/pɾetenˈdjente/

Meaning

  • noun (m./f.)suitor

Example

Ella tiene varios pretendientes.

She has several suitors.

Illustration for pretendiente (suitor)

More examples

Rechazó al pretendiente porque no compartían intereses.

She turned down the suitor because they had no shared interests.

Core concept

A person bringing flowers and a small gift while speaking affectionately.

Common phrases

  • tener un pretendiente

    have a suitor

  • rechazar a un pretendiente

    turn down a suitor

Similar words

admirador: Expresses liking quietly or from afar, often without pressing for a relationship.
enamorado: Is strongly in love, emotionally attached and constantly drawn to one person.
cortejador: Takes initiative in courtship, approaching directly and using charm or gifts.

Definition in Spanish

Persona que corteja a otra con intención sentimental o de matrimonio.

Word origin

From Spanish pretender 'to seek' plus the agent suffix -iente, ultimately from Latin praetendere 'to stretch before', so it denotes a person who seeks or courts another.

Usage tips

  • More common in written or formal Spanish; in casual speech speakers often say le están cortejando, tiene admiradores, or simply novio for an established partner.

Other meanings

  • admirernoun
  • candidatenoun

Related words

Word lists with this word