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pronunciar (proferir, emitir)

verbCEFR B2

What does “pronunciar (proferir, emitir)” mean in English?

  1. to utter, to say

    to utter, to say (pronunciar — produce words formally or emphatically; also: fail to say)

Example sentences

  • Ni siquiera pronunció una palabra de disculpa tras los graves errores cometidos durante su mandato.

    He did not even utter a single word of apology after the serious errors committed during his term.

  • El presidente pronunció un discurso de veinte minutos ante los líderes de los países aliados.

    The president delivered a twenty-minute speech before the leaders of the allied countries.

  • El comité aún no se ha pronunciado sobre las acusaciones presentadas la semana pasada.

    The committee has not yet made a statement on the accusations presented last week.

How to use it

Pronunciar in the 'utter' sense means 'to utter', 'to say', or 'to deliver': pronunciar un discurso (deliver a speech), sin pronunciar una palabra (without uttering a word). The basic sense is 'to pronounce' (articular sounds). At B2, the formal speech sense is important: pronunciarse sobre (to make a statement on, take a stance): el ministro se pronunció sobre el tema. Both senses appear in formal contexts.

Common mistake

Pronunciar un discurso (deliver a speech) is a fixed collocation — don't say *dar un discurso in formal writing (though common in speech). Pronunciarse sobre (take a stance/make a statement on) is a reflexive use — very common in political and institutional language. Don't confuse pronunciar (utter/deliver) with articular (articulate sounds/ideas clearly — more about clarity).

Topics

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