predicar

to preach

verb preh-dee-KAHR Rare

Origin: from Latin praedicare, 'to proclaim'

Also means

to sermonise

Usage Note

Predicar is the standard term for delivering a religious sermon, but it is also used figuratively for lecturing or moralising at someone (no me prediques — don't lecture me). The first-person present is predico (no spelling change), but the preterite first-person is prediqué (k spelling before e). The idiom predicar con el ejemplo means to practise what you preach.

Examples

"El sacerdote predicó sobre la caridad."

Natural Translation

The priest preached about charity.

Free starter pack

Building your Spanish vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common Spanish words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Related Words

Explore Spanish by topic

SpanishNow

Spanish Accent Marks: 3 Rules for Every Word

A Spanish word needs an accent mark in just three cases: it breaks the default stress, it's a homophone, or a weak vowel splits off. Here are all three rules.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Ser vs. Estar: When to Use Each in Spanish

Ser vs estar made simple: how you feel and where you are use estar, everything else uses ser. Master the rule, the exceptions, and the traps that flip meaning.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Spanish Reflexive Verbs: Me, Te, Se Made Clear

Spanish reflexive verbs use me, te, se for actions you do to yourself. Master the daily-routine pattern, pronoun placement, and shifts like dormir vs dormirse.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

How to Roll Your Rs in Spanish (Even If You Can't Yet)

Roll your Rs in Spanish by building from the butter sound you already make, then adding airflow. A step-by-step method, minimal pairs, and self-check drills.

June 3, 2026 7 min read