predicando

Predicando is the present participle and gerund of the Spanish verb predicar, meaning to preach or proclaim. It denotes the act of delivering a message, often a religious one, to an audience. Etymology traces predicar to Latin praedicare, from prae- “before” and dicare “to declare.” In Spanish, predicando is used to describe ongoing action or to refer to the act of preaching in a general sense.

In religious contexts, predicando typically refers to giving sermons, homilies, or evangelistic speeches within Christian traditions such as Catholicism, Protestantism, and evangelical movements. It may occur in formal settings like church services or in informal settings such as street preaching or outreach missions. Expository and doctrinal forms of preaching emphasize explanation of scripture, moral exhortation, or the proclamation of faith.

Beyond strictly religious usage, predicar can also be used metaphorically to mean promoting a principle or policy, and predicando the act of exhorting others or teaching by example. The expression predicar con el ejemplo—preach by example—is a common idiom highlighting the relationship between words and actions.

In linguistic terms, predicando functions as a gerund, forming progressive aspect with auxiliary forms, and it can occasionally appear as a nominal noun phrase in colloquial Spanish. In modern times, preaching has expanded through media, including radio, television, podcasts, and online platforms, affecting how predicando is practiced and perceived.

See also predicación, predicador, sermón, and homilética.