inclinarse
verbCEFR B2
What does “inclinarse” mean in English?
to incline towards, to lean towards
to incline towards, to lean towards (inclinarse por/a — tend to favour a particular option or course of action)
Example sentences
El comité se inclina por adoptar la propuesta más conservadora, dado el contexto económico actual.
The committee is inclined to adopt the most conservative proposal, given the current economic context.
Me inclino a pensar que la situación mejorará a medio plazo, aunque las señales a corto plazo no son alentadoras.
I am inclined to think that the situation will improve in the medium term, although short-term signals are not encouraging.
La mayoría de los encuestados se inclina por una solución negociada antes que por acciones unilaterales.
Most of those surveyed favour a negotiated solution over unilateral action.
How to use it
Inclinarse (a/por) means 'to tend towards', 'to lean towards', or 'to be inclined to'. The reflexive with por: inclinarse por la opción más segura (favour the safer option). With a: inclinarse a pensar que (be inclined to think that). The non-reflexive inclinar means 'to tilt/lean something physically'. At B2, the figurative reflexive sense is dominant in formal discourse: expressing preferences, tendencies, or predispositions.
Common mistake
Inclinarse por (favour) vs. optar por (opt for — more decisive). 'Me inclino por X' implies a tendency or preference that may not yet be a decision; 'opté por X' implies a definitive choice already made. Inclinarse is the subtler, more tentative option — useful in academic and diplomatic discourse.