imaginar (spanish) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

The word "imaginar" is a verb.

Phonetic Transcription

/imaˈxinaɾ/

Translation Options into English

• To imagine
• To conceive
• To visualize

Meaning and Usage

"Imaginar" means to form a mental image or concept of something that is not present or does not exist. It can also refer to the act of thinking creatively or envisioning scenarios or possibilities.

In Spanish, "imaginar" is commonly used in both oral and written contexts, but it might be more prevalent in written forms, especially in literary, academic, or artistic expressions. The frequency of use is moderate as it encompasses a broad range of applications from everyday conversation to more sophisticated discourse.

Example Sentences

1. Me gusta imaginar mundos fantásticos.
   I like to imagine fantastic worlds.

2. Es difícil imaginar cómo será el futuro.
   It's hard to imagine what the future will be like.

3. Solo puedo imaginar la alegría que siente.
   I can only imagine the joy he/she feels.

Idiomatic Expressions

While "imaginar" itself isn't part of many fixed expressions, it plays a significant role in several idiomatic phrases both in general and colloquial contexts.

Example Sentences with Idiomatic Expressions

1. Imaginarse algo es más fácil que hacerlo.
   Imagining something is easier than doing it.

2. No te imagines lo peor sin pruebas.
   Don't imagine the worst without evidence.

3. A veces, es bueno imaginar un final feliz.
   Sometimes, it's good to imagine a happy ending.

4. Ella se imagina a sí misma en un lugar exótico.
   She imagines herself in an exotic place.

5. No puedes imaginar lo que he pasado este año.
   You can't imagine what I've gone through this year.

6. Los niños suelen imaginar que son superhéroes.
   Children often imagine that they are superheroes.

7. Imagina si todos compartieran el planeta en paz.
   Imagine if everyone shared the planet in peace.

8. Es difícil imaginar un mundo sin tecnología.
   It's hard to imagine a world without technology.

Etymology

The verb "imaginar" comes from the Latin word "imaginare," which means "to form an image." The Latin root "imago" refers to an image or likeness, linking the concept to visual representation.

Synonyms and Antonyms

• Synonyms:
• Concebir (to conceive)
• Visualizar (to visualize)

• Suponer (to suppose)

• Antonyms:

• Olvidar (to forget)
• Desconocer (to be unaware of)
• Realizar (to carry out, which is more concrete and tangible compared to imagining)

This comprehensive overview of "imaginar" captures its significance in the Spanish language and its applications across different contexts.