verb

generar

generate

Producir o crear algo nuevo, como una idea, energía o resultado.

Definition & meaning

Generar is a verb meaning to generate, produce, create, or cause something. It often refers to bringing about a result, condition, or resource.

La empresa genera empleo. — “The company generates jobs.”
La noticia generó preocupación. — “The news caused concern.”
El panel genera electricidad. — “The panel generates electricity.”

It can also mean to arise or be produced, especially in its reflexive form generarse : Se generó un debate — “A debate arose.”

Grammar & Word origin

Generar is a regular -ar verb. Its stem is gener- and -ar is the infinitive ending. It comes from Latin generare, meaning “to beget” or “produce,” related to the idea of origin or kind.

It is usually used transitively, with the thing produced as its object: generar energía , “to generate energy.”

Synonyms & antonyms

Possible synonyms vary by context:

producir — “to produce”; a broad, neutral alternative.
crear — “to create”; often emphasizes bringing something new into existence.
originar — “to cause or give rise to”; emphasizes being the source of a result.
provocar — “to provoke or cause”; often used for reactions, events, or problems.

There is no single antonym for generar in every context. Depending on what is being generated, possible opposites include:

destruir — “to destroy,” especially as the opposite of creating something.
eliminar — “to eliminate,” especially as the opposite of producing or maintaining something.