Pretenda (en. Pretend)

/pɾeˈtenda/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishSpanish
noun
Action of intending.
The intent to get the job was evident in his interview.
La pretenda de conseguir el trabajo fue evidente en su entrevista.
Intention of achieving something.
Her intention to study abroad is very clear.
Su pretenda de estudiar en el extranjero es muy clara.
verb
To try to do or achieve something.
She always intends to be the best at everything she does.
Ella siempre pretende ser la mejor en todo lo que hace.
Aspires to achieve something.
He intends to obtain a scholarship for his master's degree.
Él pretende obtener una beca para su maestría.

Etymology

From the verb 'pretender', which comes from the Latin 'praetendere', meaning 'to stretch forth'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

to intend something
To have the intention of achieving or obtaining something.
pretender algo
to not intend
To not have the intention of doing something.
no pretender
to intend that
To try to make someone believe or assume something.
pretender que
to intend too much
To have unrealistic expectations about something.
pretender demasiado

Related Words

intend
Verb that indicates the act of attempting to achieve something.
pretender
intention
The action of intending, usually with a connotation of ambition or aspiration.
pretensión
suitor
A person who aspires to something, usually in a romantic or work context.
pretendiente

Slang Meanings

To try to do something complicated.
Don’t push yourself so hard, don’t have such a big intent.
No te esfuerces tanto, no tengas una pretenda tan grande.
To aspire to something that is out of reach.
He always has big intentions that he never achieves.
Él siempre tiene grandes pretendas que nunca logra.