explicar
to explain
In the tables below, the stem is shown in black and the ending in purple.
1.Presente
Presente
Habitual actions, general truths, and what's happening now.
| yo | explico |
| tú | explicas |
| él/ella | explica |
| nosotros | explicamos |
| vosotros | explicáis |
| ellos/ellas | explican |
Yo explico la lección a mis compañeros.
I explain the lesson to my classmates.
Ella explica cómo funciona el sistema.
She explains how the system works.
2.Pretérito Indefinido
Pretérito Indefinido
Completed actions at a specific point in the past.
| yo | expliqué |
| tú | explicaste |
| él/ella | explicó |
| nosotros | explicamos |
| vosotros | explicasteis |
| ellos/ellas | explicaron |
Ayer expliqué el tema en clase.
Yesterday I explained the topic in class.
El profesor explicó la tarea antes de que saliéramos.
The teacher explained the homework before we left.
3.Imperfecto
Imperfecto
Ongoing or repeated actions in the past, descriptions, and background context.
| yo | explicaba |
| tú | explicabas |
| él/ella | explicaba |
| nosotros | explicábamos |
| vosotros | explicabais |
| ellos/ellas | explicaban |
Cuando era niño, siempre explicaba mis ideas a mis amigos.
When I was a child, I always explained my ideas to my friends.
Ella explicaba las reglas del juego cada vez que jugábamos.
She explained the rules of the game every time we played.
4.Futuro Simple
Futuro Simple
Future actions, predictions, and speculation about the present.
| yo | explicaré |
| tú | explicarás |
| él/ella | explicará |
| nosotros | explicaremos |
| vosotros | explicaréis |
| ellos/ellas | explicarán |
Mañana explicaré el proyecto a todo el equipo.
Tomorrow I will explain the project to the whole team.
Ellos explicarán los cambios en la reunión.
They will explain the changes in the meeting.
5.Condicional
Condicional
Hypothetical situations, polite requests, and future-in-the-past.
| yo | explicaría |
| tú | explicarías |
| él/ella | explicaría |
| nosotros | explicaríamos |
| vosotros | explicaríais |
| ellos/ellas | explicarían |
Si tuviera tiempo, explicaría el problema con más detalle.
If I had time, I would explain the problem in more detail.
Ella explicaría su punto de vista si la escucharan.
She would explain her point of view if they listened to her.
6.Subjuntivo Presente
Subjuntivo Presente
Wishes, doubts, emotions, and subordinate clauses expressing uncertainty.
| yo | explique |
| tú | expliques |
| él/ella | explique |
| nosotros | expliquemos |
| vosotros | expliquéis |
| ellos/ellas | expliquen |
Es importante que yo explique mis razones.
It is important that I explain my reasons.
Espero que él explique la situación correctamente.
I hope that he explains the situation correctly.
7.Subjuntivo Imperfecto
Subjuntivo Imperfecto
Past subjunctive contexts, hypothetical si-clauses, and polite suggestions.
| yo | explicara |
| tú | explicaras |
| él/ella | explicara |
| nosotros | explicáramos |
| vosotros | explicarais |
| ellos/ellas | explicaran |
Si yo explicara el tema, todos entenderían mejor.
If I explained the topic, everyone would understand better.
Ojalá que ella explicara su decisión a todos.
I wish she explained her decision to everyone.
"explicar" in other languages
Related verbs
Common questions
- Is "explicar" regular or irregular in Spanish?
- "explicar" is a regular -ar verb in Spanish. It follows the standard conjugation pattern for -ar verbs.
- How do you conjugate "explicar" in the present tense?
- In the Presente, "explicar" conjugates as: explicas, explico, explican, and more. See the full table above.
- What is the past tense of "explicar" in Spanish?
- In the Pretérito Indefinido, "explicar" conjugates as: explicaste, expliqué, explicaron, and more. See the full table above.
- How common is "explicar" in Spanish?
- "explicar" (to explain) is one of the most commonly used verbs in Spanish.