Meaning and behavior
What does distinguir mean?
Distinguir means to distinguish, discern. VerbyGo classifies it as an irregular -IR verb. It is non-reflexive.
to differentiate, set apart; to make out, manage to see, hear etc.
Build from reliable parts
Principal forms
- Infinitive
- distinguir
- Gerund
- distinguiendo
- Past participle
- distinguido
Verified irregular pattern
How this verb behaves
Its forms differ from a fully regular -ir pattern in the present.
Conjugation guide
Present forms
Present forms
Present
Use the present forms of distinguir for current situations, routines and actions that happen regularly.
| Subject | Distinguir |
|---|---|
| yo | distingo |
| tú | distingues |
| él / ella / usted | distingue |
| nosotros / nosotras | distinguimos |
| vosotros / vosotras | distinguís |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | distinguen |
Conjugation guide
Past forms
Past forms
Preterite
Use the preterite when the action of distinguir is presented as completed in the past.
| Subject | Distinguir |
|---|---|
| yo | distinguí |
| tú | distinguiste |
| él / ella / usted | distinguió |
| nosotros / nosotras | distinguimos |
| vosotros / vosotras | distinguisteis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | distinguieron |
Past forms
Imperfect past
Use the imperfect for repeated or ongoing past uses of distinguir, or for background information.
| Subject | Distinguir |
|---|---|
| yo | distinguía |
| tú | distinguías |
| él / ella / usted | distinguía |
| nosotros / nosotras | distinguíamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | distinguíais |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | distinguían |
Conjugation guide
Future and conditional
Future and conditional
Simple future
Use the future forms of distinguir for predictions, promises and future statements.
| Subject | Distinguir |
|---|---|
| yo | distinguiré |
| tú | distinguirás |
| él / ella / usted | distinguirá |
| nosotros / nosotras | distinguiremos |
| vosotros / vosotras | distinguiréis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | distinguirán |
Verified context
Examples with distinguir
¿Cómo distinguimos lo correcto de lo incorrecto?
How can we tell what's right and what's wrong?
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FRÉl no distingue el bien del mal.
He cannot tell right from wrong.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FRLa distingue de un modo especial.
He has a special regard for her.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FR
Quick answers
Distinguir FAQ
What does distinguir mean?
Distinguir means to distinguish, discern.
Is distinguir regular or irregular?
Distinguir is a irregular -IR verb.
What is the gerund of distinguir?
The gerund of distinguir is distinguiendo.
What is the past participle of distinguir?
The past participle of distinguir is distinguido.
How is distinguir conjugated in the present?
The verified public subject set is distingo, distingues, distingue, distinguimos, distinguen.
How is distinguir conjugated in the preterite?
The verified public subject set is distinguí, distinguiste, distinguió, distinguimos, distinguieron.
Created by Alejandro Ruiz, an experienced Spanish tutor.