estimar em 30 segundos
- Used for calculating approximate values or costs.
- Expresses respect and platonic affection for people.
- Common in formal greetings (Estimado/a).
- Legal term for upholding or accepting a claim.
The Spanish verb estimar is a multifaceted gem in the linguistic crown of the Romance languages. At its core, it bridges the gap between the cold, hard world of mathematics and the warm, subjective world of human emotion. Derived from the Latin aestimare, which originally meant to determine the value of something in money, the word has evolved to encompass both quantitative assessment and qualitative appreciation. In a modern context, when you use 'estimar', you are either calculating a value, predicting a result based on data, or expressing a deep-seated respect and affection for another person. This duality makes it an essential tool for B1 learners who are moving beyond simple 'likes' and 'dislikes' into more nuanced territory.
- Quantitative Sense
- To calculate approximately the price, value, or quantity of something without having exact data. It is the 'estimate' of the business world.
- Affective Sense
- To feel affection, respect, or appreciation for someone. It is softer than 'amar' (to love) but deeper than 'caer bien' (to like someone's personality).
- Judgmental Sense
- To consider or deem something to be a certain way, often used in legal or highly formal academic writing.
"Se estima que la población crecerá un diez por ciento en la próxima década."
Understanding the weight of 'estimar' requires looking at how it functions in different social strata. In a professional setting, 'estimar' is safe, precise, and objective. In a personal setting, telling someone 'te estimo mucho' is a powerful way to express platonic love or professional respect without the romantic implications of 'te quiero'. It suggests that you have weighed their character and found it to be of high value. This 'weighing' is the literal root of the word—think of a scale balancing gold against weights.
"Es un colega al que estimo profundamente por su integridad."
Furthermore, 'estimar' plays a crucial role in legal and administrative Spanish. When a judge 'estima una demanda', they are upholding or granting a claim. This is a far cry from 'estimating' a price, but it stems from the same root of 'judging the value' of the legal argument. As a B1 learner, you should focus on the 'calculate' and 'appreciate' meanings first, as these are the most frequent in daily life.
"El perito estimó los daños del coche en tres mil euros."
- Usage in Statistics
- Used to describe projections (e.g., 'estimación de voto').
- Usage in Social Etiquette
- Used to show distance and respect (e.g., 'le estimamos mucho').
"No podemos estimar el tiempo exacto de llegada debido al tráfico."
To wrap up this conceptual overview, remember that 'estimar' is an active process. Whether you are crunching numbers or evaluating a friend's loyalty, you are actively assigning a value. It is not a passive feeling; it is a calculated or considered stance. This makes it a very 'deliberate' verb compared to more spontaneous ones like 'sentir' or 'creer'.
"Debemos estimar todas las posibilidades antes de tomar una decisión final."
Using estimar correctly involves understanding its syntax, which changes depending on whether you are talking about numbers or people. It is a regular -ar verb, which makes its conjugation straightforward, but its placement in a sentence requires attention to detail, especially regarding the 'personal a' and the use of 'que'.
1. Calculating and Predicting
When 'estimar' means to calculate, it is often followed by a direct object (the amount) or a subordinate clause starting with 'que'. In formal reports, it is frequently used in the passive voice or with the impersonal 'se'.
- Structure: Estimar + [Noun]
- Example: 'Estiman el coste en un millón.' (They estimate the cost at a million.)
- Structure: Se estima que + [Clause]
- Example: 'Se estima que vendrán cien personas.' (It is estimated that a hundred people will come.)
"Los expertos estiman que la inflación bajará el próximo mes."
2. Appreciating People
When you use 'estimar' to express affection or respect for a person, you MUST use the 'personal a'. This is a common point of failure for English speakers. Furthermore, it is often accompanied by adverbs like 'mucho', 'profundamente', or 'sinceramente'.
- Structure: Estimar a + [Person]
- Example: 'Estimo mucho a mi profesor.' (I highly value/respect my teacher.)
3. Formal Judgments
In high-level Spanish (C1/C2), 'estimar' can mean 'to consider' or 'to deem'. In this case, it often takes an object and a complement. For example, 'El juez estimó oportuno aplazar el juicio' (The judge deemed it appropriate to postpone the trial). This usage is very common in journalism and legal documents.
"La empresa estimó necesario realizar una auditoría interna."
One final note on usage: 'estimar' is a 'stative' verb when it refers to appreciation—it describes a state of mind. However, it is an 'active' verb when it refers to the act of calculation. This distinction affects how you use it with continuous tenses. You wouldn't usually say 'estoy estimando a mi amigo' (I am currently valuing my friend), but you could say 'estoy estimando los gastos' (I am currently calculating the expenses).
You will encounter estimar in a variety of environments, ranging from the sterile halls of a bank to the heartfelt speeches at a retirement party. Its versatility is its greatest strength. Here is a breakdown of the most common 'habitats' for this verb.
1. The News and Business Reports
If you turn on a Spanish news channel like RTVE or read a newspaper like El País, you will hear 'estimar' constantly in the context of economics and sociology. It is the standard verb for discussing projections. Phrases like 'se estima una caída de los precios' (a drop in prices is estimated) or 'los analistas estiman que...' are staples of the financial section.
"El Banco de España estima un crecimiento del 2% para este año."
2. Professional Correspondence
As mentioned, the most frequent appearance of the root is in the adjective form 'estimado'. Every formal letter or email starts with 'Estimado Sr. García' or 'Estimada Directora'. Even if the verb itself isn't used, the concept of 'esteem' is the foundation of Spanish professional etiquette.
3. Legal and Official Contexts
In courtrooms or when dealing with government bureaucracy, 'estimar' is used when a request or an appeal is accepted. If you file a complaint and the government agrees with you, they will 'estimar' your claim. Conversely, if they reject it, they will 'desestimar' it. This is a crucial distinction for anyone living in a Spanish-speaking country.
- Estimar una queja
- To accept or uphold a complaint.
- Desestimar un recurso
- To dismiss an appeal.
4. Social Tributes
During weddings, funerals, or award ceremonies, speakers often use 'estimar' to describe the high regard the community has for an individual. It carries a weight of dignity. 'Era un hombre muy estimado por todos' (He was a man very much esteemed by everyone) sounds much more respectful and solemn than simply saying people liked him.
"Es un honor premiar a alguien a quien tanto estimamos en esta institución."
While estimar is a cognate, it has several 'false friend' tendencies and grammatical traps that can trip up B1 and B2 learners. Avoiding these will make your Spanish sound much more natural and precise.
1. Forgetting the 'Personal A'
This is the number one error. Because 'estimate' in English doesn't usually apply to people in the same way, learners forget that in Spanish, when you value a person, they are a human direct object. You must say 'Estimo a mi jefe', not 'Estimo mi jefe'.
Incorrecto: "Estimo mucho mi abuelo."
Correcto: "Estimo mucho a mi abuelo."
2. Confusing 'Estimar' with 'Evaluar'
While related, 'evaluar' implies a more formal, structured assessment (like a test or a performance review), whereas 'estimar' often implies an approximation or a feeling of worth. You 'evalúas' a student's exam, but you 'estimas' the number of hours it will take to grade them.
3. Overusing it for 'Love'
Learners sometimes use 'estimar' when they mean 'querer' or 'amar' because they want to sound formal. However, telling a romantic partner 'te estimo' is a recipe for a breakup—it sounds like you respect them as a colleague rather than love them as a partner. Keep 'estimar' for friends, mentors, and colleagues.
4. The 'Subestimar' Trap
Many learners know 'underestimate' (subestimar) but forget that the opposite isn't just 'estimar'—it's 'sobreestimar' (overestimate). Using 'estimar' to mean 'overestimate' is a common logical error.
- Subestimar
- To underestimate (think something is less than it is).
- Sobreestimar
- To overestimate (think something is more than it is).
- Estimar
- To estimate (try to find the true value).
"No subestimes la importancia de este examen."
Spanish has a rich vocabulary for 'valuation'. Knowing when to use estimar versus its synonyms will elevate your fluency from functional to sophisticated. Let's look at the nuances of these related verbs.
1. Estimar vs. Calcular
'Calcular' is more mathematical. You 'calculas' when you have a formula or specific data. You 'estimas' when there is more uncertainty or when you are making a professional judgment call. If you are doing 2+2, you 'calculas'. If you are guessing how many people will be at a protest, you 'estimas'.
"He calculado el presupuesto exacto, pero estimo que habrá gastos imprevistos."
2. Estimar vs. Valorar
'Valorar' is often used for 'to value' in the sense of 'to appreciate the importance of'. While 'estimar' is about affection/respect for a person, 'valorar' is often about appreciating a thing, a gesture, or a quality. 'Valoro tu sinceridad' (I value your sincerity) is more common than 'estimo tu sinceridad'.
- Valorar
- To appreciate the quality or importance of something/someone.
- Estimar
- To have affection/respect for someone or to calculate a value.
3. Estimar vs. Apreciar
These are very close. In many contexts, they are interchangeable. However, 'apreciar' can also mean 'to notice' or 'to perceive' (e.g., 'se aprecia un cambio' - a change can be noticed). 'Estimar' is more focused on the assigned value or the feeling of respect.
4. Tasar
This is a specific technical synonym. It means to 'appraise' or 'set a price' officially, usually by an expert (a 'tasador'). You 'tasas' a house or a diamond. 'Estimar' is the informal or preliminary version of 'tasar'.
"El banco tiene que tasar la propiedad antes de darte la hipoteca."
How Formal Is It?
Nível de dificuldade
Gramática essencial
The 'Personal A' with human objects.
Impersonal 'Se' for passive estimations.
Direct object pronouns (Lo/La estimo).
Subordinate clauses with 'que'.
Adverb placement (mucho, profundamente).
Exemplos por nível
Estimado señor, ¿cómo está?
Dear sir, how are you?
Greeting form.
Yo estimo mucho a mi abuela.
I value my grandmother very much.
Personal 'a' used.
Estimada María, gracias por tu ayuda.
Dear Maria, thank you for your help.
Feminine formal greeting.
Nosotros estimamos a los buenos amigos.
We value good friends.
Present tense 'nosotros'.
¿Tú estimas a tu profesor?
Do you respect your teacher?
Question form.
Ellos estiman el tiempo de juego.
They estimate the play time.
Simple calculation.
Ella estima a sus compañeros.
She values her classmates.
Third person singular.
Estimados amigos, bienvenidos.
Dear friends, welcome.
Plural greeting.
Estimo que la cena estará lista en diez minutos.
I estimate dinner will be ready in ten minutes.
Estimation of time.
El carpintero estimó el precio de la mesa.
The carpenter estimated the price of the table.
Preterite tense.
¿Cuánto estimas que cuesta este libro?
How much do you estimate this book costs?
Interrogative estimation.
Siempre he estimado a las personas honestas.
I have always valued honest people.
Present perfect.
No podemos estimar el número de invitados todavía.
We cannot estimate the number of guests yet.
Negative with infinitive.
El guía estimó la distancia de la ruta.
The guide estimated the distance of the route.
Past tense calculation.
Mis padres estiman mucho a sus vecinos.
My parents value their neighbors a lot.
Plural subject.
Es importante estimar el esfuerzo de los demás.
It is important to value others' effort.
Impersonal 'es importante'.
Se estima que el proyecto terminará en mayo.
It is estimated that the project will finish in May.
Impersonal 'se'.
El director estima mucho tu dedicación a la empresa.
The director highly values your dedication to the company.
Abstract direct object.
Debemos estimar los riesgos antes de invertir.
We must estimate the risks before investing.
Professional context.
Si estimamos los gastos, ahorraremos dinero.
If we estimate the expenses, we will save money.
Conditional sentence.
Fue un autor muy estimado en su época.
He was a very esteemed author in his time.
Passive participle as adjective.
¿Cómo estimas tú el impacto de esta noticia?
How do you estimate the impact of this news?
Subjective estimation.
La policía estima que hubo mil personas en la plaza.
The police estimate there were a thousand people in the square.
Reporting a calculation.
Siempre te he estimado como a un hermano.
I have always valued you like a brother.
Comparison with 'como'.
El tribunal estimó el recurso presentado por el abogado.
The court upheld the appeal presented by the lawyer.
Legal usage.
Se estima oportuno realizar una segunda entrevista.
It is deemed appropriate to conduct a second interview.
Formal 'estimar oportuno'.
No estimé bien las consecuencias de mis palabras.
I didn't properly estimate the consequences of my words.
Abstract estimation.
Los científicos estiman que el clima cambiará drásticamente.
Scientists estimate that the climate will change drastically.
Scientific projection.
A pesar de los problemas, le sigo estimando.
Despite the problems, I still value him.
Gerund construction.
La empresa estima una pérdida de beneficios este trimestre.
The company estimates a loss of profits this quarter.
Financial context.
Es difícil estimar el valor sentimental de este objeto.
It is difficult to estimate the sentimental value of this object.
Intangible value.
El perito estimó los daños tras el accidente.
The expert estimated the damages after the accident.
Technical estimation.
La sentencia estima parcialmente las pretensiones del actor.
The ruling partially upholds the plaintiff's claims.
Legal jargon.
Cabe estimar que la situación mejorará a largo plazo.
It can be estimated that the situation will improve in the long run.
Formal 'Cabe + infinitive'.
Se desestimó la propuesta por considerarla inviable.
The proposal was dismissed as it was considered unfeasible.
Antonym 'desestimar'.
Muchos filósofos estiman la virtud como el bien supremo.
Many philosophers deem virtue as the supreme good.
Philosophical context.
La dirección estimó conveniente cerrar la sucursal.
The management deemed it convenient to close the branch.
Formal judgment.
No se puede estimar a la ligera la magnitud del desastre.
The magnitude of the disaster cannot be estimated lightly.
Adverbial phrase 'a la ligera'.
Es un profesional altamente estimado en los círculos académicos.
He is a highly esteemed professional in academic circles.
Adverbial modification.
El estudio estima una correlación entre ambas variables.
The study estimates a correlation between both variables.
Scientific analysis.
La sala estimó íntegramente el recurso de casación.
The court fully upheld the cassation appeal.
Advanced legal terminology.
Se estima que la impronta de su obra perdurará siglos.
It is estimated that the imprint of his work will last for centuries.
High literary style.
El autor estima que la modernidad ha fracasado.
The author deems that modernity has failed.
Intellectual stance.
No es de estimar que se produzcan cambios significativos.
It is not to be expected that significant changes will occur.
Archaic/Formal construction.
La cuantía se estimará en función de los baremos oficiales.
The amount will be estimated based on official scales.
Technical/Administrative.
Es imperativo estimar el coste de oportunidad de esta medida.
It is imperative to estimate the opportunity cost of this measure.
Economic theory.
Su señoría estimó a bien conceder la libertad bajo fianza.
His Honor saw fit to grant bail.
Highly formal 'estimar a bien'.
La crítica estimó su última novela como una obra maestra.
The critics deemed his latest novel a masterpiece.
Critical judgment.
Colocações comuns
Frases Comuns
Frequentemente confundido com
Expressões idiomáticas
Fácil de confundir
Padrões de frases
Como usar
'Estimado' is the equivalent of 'Dear' in English business letters.
In law, 'estimar' means the judge agrees with you.
Use 'calcular' for math, 'estimar' for professional guesses, and 'apreciar' for feelings.
- Using 'estimar' for romantic love.
- Forgetting the 'personal a' with people.
- Using 'estimar' when 'calcular' (exact math) is needed.
- Confusing 'estimar' with 'estimular' (to stimulate).
- Using 'estimar' instead of 'creer' in very informal chats.
Dicas
The Personal A
Always remember 'Estimo a...' when talking about people. It's a common B1 mistake to omit it.
Formal Greetings
Start your formal emails with 'Estimado/a [Apellido]'. It's the most professional way to begin.
Platonic Love
Use 'Te estimo mucho' for friends you care about deeply but don't have romantic feelings for.
Projections
In meetings, use 'Se estima que...' to present data projections. It sounds more objective than 'Creo que...'.
Legal Meaning
If you see 'demanda estimada' in a news report, it means the plaintiff won the case.
Avoiding Repetition
Alternate between 'estimar', 'valorar', and 'apreciar' to make your writing more interesting.
Stress
Make sure to put the stress on the 'mar' at the end of the infinitive. Es-ti-MAR.
News Context
When reading the news, 'estimar' almost always refers to numbers, percentages, or dates.
Regional Use
In Mexico and Colombia, 'estimar' is very common in daily speech to show affection.
DELE Tip
Using 'estimar' correctly in the writing section of the DELE B1/B2 exam will earn you points for register.
Memorize
Origem da palavra
Contexto cultural
Crucial in the Spanish legal system for accepting appeals.
Used more in formal/business contexts.
Frequently used in friendships to mean 'I care about you'.
Pratique na vida real
Contextos reais
Iniciadores de conversa
"¿Cómo estimas que será el clima mañana?"
"¿A qué profesor estimas más de la universidad?"
"¿Cómo estimas el éxito de este proyecto?"
"¿Es difícil estimar el precio de una casa antigua?"
"¿Crees que es importante hacerse estimar por los colegas?"
Temas para diário
Escribe sobre una persona a la que estimas mucho y por qué.
Estima tus gastos para el próximo mes.
¿Cómo estimas que ha cambiado tu vida en el último año?
Describe una situación donde subestimaste algo importante.
¿Qué cualidades estimas más en un líder?
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasYou can, but it sounds very cold and formal. It's better to use 'querer' or 'amar'. 'Estimar' is more for friends or colleagues.
Yes, it follows the standard -ar conjugation pattern in all tenses. This makes it very easy to learn and use.
'Calcular' implies a more precise mathematical operation. 'Estimar' implies an approximation or a judgment based on experience.
The word is 'subestimar'. It is used exactly like 'estimar' but means to value something below its true worth.
No, 'Estimado' is strictly formal. For friends, use 'Querido' or just 'Hola'.
It means the court has accepted the appeal or legal challenge. It is a positive outcome for the person who filed it.
Yes, in formal contexts, 'estimo que' can mean 'I consider that' or 'I am of the opinion that'.
Yes, 'autoestima' literally means 'self-estimate' or 'self-value'. It refers to how much you value yourself.
Only if the object is a person. 'Estimo a mi jefe' (I value my boss) vs 'Estimo el precio' (I estimate the price).
Depending on the context, it could be 'despreciar' (to despise/disregard) or 'desestimar' (to reject/dismiss).
Teste-se 180 perguntas
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Estimar is a versatile verb that functions in both the head (calculating costs/data) and the heart (valuing friends/colleagues). It is more formal than 'querer' and more professional than 'calcular'.
- Used for calculating approximate values or costs.
- Expresses respect and platonic affection for people.
- Common in formal greetings (Estimado/a).
- Legal term for upholding or accepting a claim.
The Personal A
Always remember 'Estimo a...' when talking about people. It's a common B1 mistake to omit it.
Formal Greetings
Start your formal emails with 'Estimado/a [Apellido]'. It's the most professional way to begin.
Platonic Love
Use 'Te estimo mucho' for friends you care about deeply but don't have romantic feelings for.
Projections
In meetings, use 'Se estima que...' to present data projections. It sounds more objective than 'Creo que...'.
Exemplo
Es difícil estimar el número exacto de asistentes.
Conteúdo relacionado
Esta palavra em outros idiomas
Mais palavras de numbers
absoluto
A2Algo que é total, completo e sem limites.
agrupar
A2Agrupar significa colocar coisas ou pessoas juntas em grupos, frequentemente com base em semelhanças. É como classificar itens em categorias.
altamente
A2Altamente. Este livro é altamente recomendado. É altamente provável que ele venha.
ampliamente
A2A palavra 'ampliamente' significa 'amplamente' ou 'extensamente'.
anotar
A2Escrever algo rapidamente para não esquecer, como um número. 'Ele anotou meu telefone.'
anual
A2'Anual' significa anual em português. É usado para descrever algo que acontece uma vez por ano, como um relatório anual (informe anual) ou uma reunião anual (reunión anual).
anualidad
A2Uma anualidade é um pagamento feito todos os anos.
aproximado
B1Este é um adjetivo usado para descrever um valor ou quantidade que se aproxima da realidade sem ser exato. O tempo aproximado de espera é de vinte minutos.
aproximar
B1Colocar uma coisa perto de outra ou aproximar-se de algo ou alguém.
bancario
A2Relativo a bancos ou operações bancárias. Por exemplo, uma conta bancária ou um cartão bancário.
