Meaning and behavior
What does apretar mean?
Apretar means to squeeze. VerbyGo classifies it as an irregular -AR verb. It is non-reflexive.
to tighten, constrict or compress; to press (e.g., a button).
Build from reliable parts
Principal forms
- Infinitive
- apretar
- Gerund
- apretando
- Past participle
- apretado
Verified irregular pattern
How this verb behaves
Its forms differ from a fully regular -ar pattern in the present.
Conjugation guide
Present forms
Present forms
Present
Use the present forms of apretar for current situations, routines and actions that happen regularly.
| Subject | Apretar |
|---|---|
| yo | aprieto |
| tú | aprietas |
| él / ella / usted | aprieta |
| nosotros / nosotras | apretamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | apretáis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | aprietan |
Conjugation guide
Past forms
Past forms
Preterite
Use the preterite when the action of apretar is presented as completed in the past.
| Subject | Apretar |
|---|---|
| yo | apreté |
| tú | apretaste |
| él / ella / usted | apretó |
| nosotros / nosotras | apretamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | apretasteis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | apretaron |
Past forms
Imperfect past
Use the imperfect for repeated or ongoing past uses of apretar, or for background information.
| Subject | Apretar |
|---|---|
| yo | apretaba |
| tú | apretabas |
| él / ella / usted | apretaba |
| nosotros / nosotras | apretábamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | apretabais |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | apretaban |
Conjugation guide
Future and conditional
Future and conditional
Simple future
Use the future forms of apretar for predictions, promises and future statements.
| Subject | Apretar |
|---|---|
| yo | apretaré |
| tú | apretarás |
| él / ella / usted | apretará |
| nosotros / nosotras | apretaremos |
| vosotros / vosotras | apretaréis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | apretarán |
Verified context
Examples with apretar
Tom se apretó el cinturón de seguridad.
Tom fastened his seatbelt.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FRYo no apreté el gatillo.
I didn't pull the trigger.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FRTom no apretó el gatillo.
Tom didn't pull the trigger.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FR
Quick answers
Apretar FAQ
What does apretar mean?
Apretar means to squeeze.
Is apretar regular or irregular?
Apretar is a irregular -AR verb.
What is the gerund of apretar?
The gerund of apretar is apretando.
What is the past participle of apretar?
The past participle of apretar is apretado.
How is apretar conjugated in the present?
The verified public subject set is aprieto, aprietas, aprieta, apretamos, aprietan.
How is apretar conjugated in the preterite?
The verified public subject set is apreté, apretaste, apretó, apretamos, apretaron.
Created by Alejandro Ruiz, an experienced Spanish tutor.