Meaning and behavior
What does alcanzar mean?
Alcanzar means to reach; to get to to catch up. VerbyGo classifies it as an irregular -AR verb. It is non-reflexive.
to accomplish; to achieve; to be enough; to suffice.
Build from reliable parts
Principal forms
- Infinitive
- alcanzar
- Gerund
- alcanzando
- Past participle
- alcanzado
Verified irregular pattern
How this verb behaves
Its forms differ from a fully regular -ar pattern in the preterite.
Conjugation guide
Present forms
Present forms
Present
Use the present forms of alcanzar for current situations, routines and actions that happen regularly.
| Subject | Alcanzar |
|---|---|
| yo | alcanzo |
| tú | alcanzas |
| él / ella / usted | alcanza |
| nosotros / nosotras | alcanzamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | alcanzáis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | alcanzan |
Conjugation guide
Past forms
Past forms
Preterite
Use the preterite when the action of alcanzar is presented as completed in the past.
| Subject | Alcanzar |
|---|---|
| yo | alcancé |
| tú | alcanzaste |
| él / ella / usted | alcanzó |
| nosotros / nosotras | alcanzamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | alcanzasteis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | alcanzaron |
Past forms
Imperfect past
Use the imperfect for repeated or ongoing past uses of alcanzar, or for background information.
| Subject | Alcanzar |
|---|---|
| yo | alcanzaba |
| tú | alcanzabas |
| él / ella / usted | alcanzaba |
| nosotros / nosotras | alcanzábamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | alcanzabais |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | alcanzaban |
Conjugation guide
Future and conditional
Future and conditional
Simple future
Use the future forms of alcanzar for predictions, promises and future statements.
| Subject | Alcanzar |
|---|---|
| yo | alcanzaré |
| tú | alcanzarás |
| él / ella / usted | alcanzará |
| nosotros / nosotras | alcanzaremos |
| vosotros / vosotras | alcanzaréis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | alcanzarán |
Conjugation guide
Subjunctive forms
Subjunctive forms
Present subjunctive
Use these forms when a current wish, reaction, doubt or another trigger requires the subjunctive.
| Subject | Alcanzar |
|---|---|
| yo | alcance |
| tú | alcances |
| él / ella / usted | alcance |
| nosotros / nosotras | alcancemos |
| vosotros / vosotras | alcancéis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | alcancen |
Conjugation guide
Commands
Commands
Affirmative commands
Choose the affirmative command of alcanzar that matches the person being addressed.
| Subject | Alcanzar |
|---|---|
| tú | alcanza |
| usted | alcance |
| nosotros / nosotras | alcancemos |
| vosotros / vosotras | alcanzad |
| ustedes | alcancen |
Commands
Negative commands
Use no with the matching command form of alcanzar.
| Subject | Alcanzar |
|---|---|
| tú | no alcances |
| usted | no alcance |
| nosotros / nosotras | no alcancemos |
| vosotros / vosotras | no alcancéis |
| ustedes | no alcancen |
Verified context
Examples with alcanzar
Ella le alcanzó la llave.
She handed him the key.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FRTom pronto alcanzó a Mary.
Tom soon caught up with Mary.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FRTom alcanzó a Mary y John.
Tom caught up with Mary and John.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FR
Quick answers
Alcanzar FAQ
What does alcanzar mean?
Alcanzar means to reach; to get to to catch up.
Is alcanzar regular or irregular?
Alcanzar is a irregular -AR verb.
What is the gerund of alcanzar?
The gerund of alcanzar is alcanzando.
What is the past participle of alcanzar?
The past participle of alcanzar is alcanzado.
How is alcanzar conjugated in the present?
The verified public subject set is alcanzo, alcanzas, alcanza, alcanzamos, alcanzan.
How is alcanzar conjugated in the preterite?
The verified public subject set is alcancé, alcanzaste, alcanzó, alcanzamos, alcanzaron.
Created by Alejandro Ruiz, an experienced Spanish tutor.