demostrar
Lemma Details
Translation: to demonstrate; to prove; to show; to establish; to display; to exhibit
Part of Speech: verb
Etymology: Derived from Latin 'demonstrare', which combines 'de' (completely) + 'monstrare' (to show). The English cognate 'demonstrate' shares the same Latin root. The word literally means 'to point out completely' or 'to show thoroughly'. This connection to 'monstrare' (to show) is also found in English words like 'monster' (originally something shown or displayed) and 'monitor'.
Commonality: 80%
Guessability: 90%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
El científico demostró su teoría con varios experimentos.
The scientist demonstrated his theory with several experiments.
Necesitas demostrar tu amor con acciones, no solo con palabras.
You need to demonstrate your love with actions, not just with words.
Los resultados demuestran que teníamos razón.
The results prove that we were right.
Ella siempre demuestra gran paciencia con los niños.
She always shows great patience with the children.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'demo' + 'strar' - like giving a demonstration to show something clearly
- Sounds like 'demonstrate' in English - both mean to show or prove something
- The stem changes to 'demue-' in some forms, which you can remember as putting more 'mue' (movement) into your demonstration
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Cultural Context
Widely used in academic, legal, and everyday contexts. In Spanish culture, the ability to 'demostrar' (demonstrate) one's points or feelings is highly valued in both formal debates and personal relationships.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: 'Demostrar' implies proving or establishing something through evidence, while 'mostrar' simply means to show or display without necessarily proving anything.
This word:
El abogado demostró la inocencia de su cliente.
The lawyer proved his client's innocence.
Confused word:
El vendedor mostró el producto a los clientes.
The salesperson showed the product to the customers.
Notes: 'Demostrar' is a stem-changing verb (e→ue) in present tense forms, while 'mostrar' follows the same pattern (o→ue).
Mnemonic: 'Demostrar' has 'de' (completely) + 'mostrar' (to show), so it's a more complete or thorough showing that establishes proof.
Explanation: Though they sound somewhat similar, 'demostrar' means to prove or demonstrate, while 'administrar' means to administer or manage.
Confused word:
Ella administra los recursos del departamento.
She administers the department's resources.
Notes: Both are regular -ar verbs in most tenses, but 'demostrar' has stem changes in present tense and subjunctive.
Mnemonic: Think of 'administrar' as having 'admin' in it (like administrator), while 'demostrar' has 'demo' (like demonstration).