Spanish word

vaticinar

Pronunciation

IPA/batiθiˈnaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbpredict

Example

No puedo vaticinar lo que pasará.

I cannot predict what will happen.

Illustration for vaticinar (predict)

More examples

Muchos periodistas intentan vaticinar el futuro económico.

Many journalists try to predict the economic future.

Core concept

A firm prediction stated with supporting arguments.

Common phrases

  • vaticinar el futuro

    predict the future

  • vaticinar el tiempo

    predict the weather

Similar words

predecir: States a prediction grounded in factual or statistical information.
adivinar: Offers a guess from scant clues or pure intuition.
suponer: Assumes something likely without strong supporting evidence.
prever: Forecasts future developments to plan or take preventive action.

Definition in Spanish

Decir o expresar lo que se considera que ocurrirá en el futuro, apoyándose en datos, indicios, análisis o intuición y con matiz de predicción más firme que una simple suposición.

Word origin

Derived from Latin vaticinari and ultimately from vates 'prophet', the word retains a hint of prophetic tone but now refers to a predictive statement grounded in data or reasoning.

Usage tips

  • Because of its slightly elevated register, vaticinar commonly appears in journalism, opinion pieces, or academic contexts rather than casual conversation.

Other meanings

  • prophesyverb
  • foreseeverb

Related words

Word lists with this word