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"Imagina" is a form of "imaginar", a transitive verb which is often translated as "to imagine". "Imagínate" is a form of "imagínate", a phrase which is often translated as "can you believe that". Learn more about the difference between "imagina" and "imagínate" below.
imaginar(
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)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to imagine
Imagina que estás en una isla desierta. ¿Qué tres cosas te gustaría tener contigo?Imagine you are on a desert island. What three things would you like to have with you?
b. to picture
Imagina este jardín con un rosal aquí y una palmera ahí en el centro.Picture this garden with a rosebush over here, and a palm tree over there in the middle.
2. (to assume)
a. to suppose
Imagino que está retrasada por el tráfico.I suppose she's late because of the traffic.
b. to imagine
Como no volvimos a saber de él, imaginamos que se fue a vivir a otra ciudad.Since we never heard from him again, we imagined he went to live in another city.
3. (to predict)
a. to guess
Nunca hubiera imaginado que acabaría viviendo en Nueva York.I could have never guessed I'd end up living in New York.
a. to think up
Para imaginar un plan tan complejo se requiere una mente igual de compleja.In order to think up such a complex plan you need an equally complex mind.
imaginarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
5. (to assume)
b. to suppose
Habrán acabado ya, ¿no? - Me imagino que sí.They must have finished already, don't you think? - I suppose so.
6. (to predict)
a. to guess
¡Cómo se iba a imaginar él que un día le tocaría la lotería!How could he have guessed that he'd win the lottery one day!
b. to picture
Intenta imaginarte por un momento esta ciudad sin tráfico. ¿A que no puedes?Try to picture this city without traffic for a moment. I bet you can't.
imagínate(
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)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
1. (informal) (used to express surprise)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person informal “tú” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., How are you?).
a. can you believe that
Terry perdió el vuelo y no llegó a tiempo a dar su conferencia. ¡Imagínate!Terry missed his flight and didn't get on time to give his talk. Can you believe that?
b. can you imagine
No habían invitado a Adrián a la boda porque el novio estaba peleado con él, y se apareció de sorpresa. Imagínate.Adrian hadn't been invited to the wedding because he'd had a falling out with the groom, and he showed up. Can you imagine?
2. (informal) (envision; imperative)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person informal “tú” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., How are you?).
a. imagine
Imagínate que un día te encuentras a tu escritor favorito. ¿Qué le preguntarías?Imagine that one day you bump into your favorite writer. What would you ask him?
b. picture
Cuando estés nervioso, imagínate a María contando uno de sus chistes.When you get nervous, picture Maria telling one of her jokes.
3. (informal) (envision yourself; second person singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person informal “tú” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., How are you?).
a. imagine yourself
El hipnotista me dijo, "Imagínate caminando sola en un bosque. Hace mucho frío y no sabes a dónde ir".The hypnotist told me, "Imagine yourself alone in the woods. It's very cold, and you don't know where to go."
b. picture yourself
Imagínate en la playa tomando una piña colada o algo que te haga sentir relajado.Picture yourself at the beach drinking a piña colada, or anything that makes you feel relaxed.
