precisar
Lemma Details
Translation: to need; to require; to specify; to clarify; to state precisely
Part of Speech: verb
Etymology: Derived from Latin 'praecisus', past participle of 'praecidere' meaning 'to cut off in front' or 'to shorten', from 'prae-' (before) + 'caedere' (to cut). The English cognate 'precise' shares this root, both conveying the idea of exactness or specificity. The semantic evolution from 'cutting off' to 'being exact' reflects how precision involves eliminating unnecessary elements to reach clarity.
Commonality: 80%
Guessability: 70%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Preciso tu ayuda con este proyecto.
I need your help with this project.
El médico precisó que el tratamiento durará seis semanas.
The doctor specified that the treatment will last six weeks.
Precisamos más información para tomar una decisión.
We need more information to make a decision.
El informe precisa los detalles del accidente.
The report clarifies the details of the accident.
Mnemonics
- Think of being 'precise' (exact) when you 'precisar' (specify) something.
- When you 'precisar' (need) something, you're precisely identifying what you require.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
In Spanish, 'precisar' has a dual meaning that can sometimes cause confusion for learners. It can mean both 'to need/require' and 'to specify/clarify'. The meaning 'to need' is particularly common in everyday speech in Spain, while in some Latin American countries, 'necesitar' might be more commonly used for this meaning.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'precisar' means 'to need' or 'to specify', 'apreciar' means 'to appreciate' or 'to notice'.
Confused word:
Aprecio mucho tu ayuda.
I really appreciate your help.
Notes: Both verbs can involve careful attention to something, but 'precisar' focuses on exactness or necessity while 'apreciar' focuses on valuing or recognizing.
Mnemonic: 'Apreciar' has an 'a' at the beginning, think 'a-ppreciate' for appreciation.
Explanation: 'Precisar' means 'to need' while 'prescindir' means 'to do without' or 'to dispense with' - they're almost opposites despite looking similar.
Notes: These verbs often appear in opposite contexts despite their similar appearance.
Mnemonic: Think of 'prescindir' as 'pre-send away' (to do without), while 'precisar' is to 'precisely need'.