Pretender - to intend

Question

Star trek loves this verb but they never use it for to pretend, only for to intend. Que prentende hacer = What do you intend to do? Do you hear it mean to pretend once in a while guys? Or does it always to intend? Or does it never mean to intend and Star trek is taking liberties? Gracias.

Answer 1

Hello. I think of 'intend/try' as the (or at least one of the) primary meaning(s) of pretender. I've definitely heard it used that way before, so I wouldn't say that Star Trek was taking any liberties with the verb. To my knowledge, pretender isn't really used to mean 'pretend' in the sense of 'act like'; that's usually fingir. Hope this helps.

Update: After CalvoViejo mentioned it, I looked pretender up in another dictionary, and that one does indeed include the 'act like' meaning. I guess it's just not the most common meaning.

this is the correct answer - 00494d19, May 31, 2010

Answer 2

I have to agree with MacFadden (not that that's a problem). Pretender can mean "to pretend", but usually isn't used that way.

Isn't that wierd though. So pretender is intend and fingir is to pretend. Gracias. - jeezzle, May 30, 2010

Ah, so it can. I guess I should look things up in both dictionaries before opening my mouth. One includes that usage and the other doesn't! Thanks for pointing that out. - MacFadden, May 31, 2010

Answer 3

Fingir reminds me of our "to feign."

that's really helpful thanks! - galsally, Jul 13, 2010

Answer 4

pretender. (Del lat. praetend?re).

1. tr. Querer ser o conseguir algo.

2. tr. Hacer diligencias para conseguir algo.

3. tr. Dicho de una persona: Cortejar a otra.

Have a look at this explanation :

Choose either of those translations; verb "querer" can me an "to try" or "to want". Only the context would make it clearer, although the verb "pretender" would be clear enough to mean "to assert something that is doubted."

I see three basic meanings for "pretender":

1. To aspire to something to be done or gotten although it's not easy. (To try, expect, attempt).
2. To pursue an objective (a person's love, a post, a deed, etc.). (To try to conquer).
3. To assert something that is considered unlikely or not true. (To claim, try to make beleave).

No.3 is the one that is usually confused with English "to pretend (fingir, simular, aparentar)".

Calvo, pretender does not have the meaning of to pretend.