Meaning and behavior
What does atar mean?
Atar means to tie, tie up, tie down, to tether (secure (something) by rope or the like). VerbyGo classifies it as a regular -AR verb. It is non-reflexive.
to constrain, limit without freedom of movement or ability to act).
Build from reliable parts
Principal forms
- Infinitive
- atar
- Gerund
- atando
- Past participle
- atado
Regular -AR pattern
How this verb behaves
Atar follows the regular -ar pattern in the four tenses shown here.
Conjugation guide
Present forms
Present forms
Present
Use the present forms of atar for current situations, routines and actions that happen regularly.
| Subject | Atar |
|---|---|
| yo | ato |
| tú | atas |
| él / ella / usted | ata |
| nosotros / nosotras | atamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | atáis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | atan |
Conjugation guide
Past forms
Past forms
Preterite
Use the preterite when the action of atar is presented as completed in the past.
| Subject | Atar |
|---|---|
| yo | até |
| tú | ataste |
| él / ella / usted | ató |
| nosotros / nosotras | atamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | atasteis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | ataron |
Past forms
Imperfect past
Use the imperfect for repeated or ongoing past uses of atar, or for background information.
| Subject | Atar |
|---|---|
| yo | ataba |
| tú | atabas |
| él / ella / usted | ataba |
| nosotros / nosotras | atábamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | atabais |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | ataban |
Conjugation guide
Future and conditional
Future and conditional
Simple future
Use the future forms of atar for predictions, promises and future statements.
| Subject | Atar |
|---|---|
| yo | ataré |
| tú | atarás |
| él / ella / usted | atará |
| nosotros / nosotras | ataremos |
| vosotros / vosotras | ataréis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | atarán |
Verified context
Examples with atar
Ella le ató a la silla.
She tied him to the chair.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FRTom y Mary ataron a John.
Tom and Mary tied John up.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FRÉl ató el perro a un árbol.
He tied the dog to a tree.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FR
Quick answers
Atar FAQ
What does atar mean?
Atar means to tie, tie up, tie down, to tether (secure (something) by rope or the like).
Is atar regular or irregular?
Atar is a regular -AR verb.
What is the gerund of atar?
The gerund of atar is atando.
What is the past participle of atar?
The past participle of atar is atado.
How is atar conjugated in the present?
The verified public subject set is ato, atas, ata, atamos, atan.
How is atar conjugated in the preterite?
The verified public subject set is até, ataste, ató, atamos, ataron.
Created by Alejandro Ruiz, an experienced Spanish tutor.