Meaning and behavior
What does explicar mean?
Explicar means to explain. VerbyGo classifies it as an irregular -AR verb. It is non-reflexive.
to explain oneself.
Build from reliable parts
Principal forms
- Infinitive
- explicar
- Gerund
- explicando
- Past participle
- explicado
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 explicar for current situations, routines and actions that happen regularly.
| Subject | Explicar |
|---|---|
| yo | explico |
| tú | explicas |
| él / ella / usted | explica |
| nosotros / nosotras | explicamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | explicáis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | explican |
Conjugation guide
Past forms
Past forms
Preterite
Use the preterite when the action of explicar is presented as completed in the past.
| Subject | Explicar |
|---|---|
| yo | expliqué |
| tú | explicaste |
| él / ella / usted | explicó |
| nosotros / nosotras | explicamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | explicasteis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | explicaron |
Past forms
Imperfect past
Use the imperfect for repeated or ongoing past uses of explicar, or for background information.
| Subject | Explicar |
|---|---|
| yo | explicaba |
| tú | explicabas |
| él / ella / usted | explicaba |
| nosotros / nosotras | explicábamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | explicabais |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | explicaban |
Conjugation guide
Future and conditional
Future and conditional
Simple future
Use the future forms of explicar for predictions, promises and future statements.
| Subject | Explicar |
|---|---|
| yo | explicaré |
| tú | explicarás |
| él / ella / usted | explicará |
| nosotros / nosotras | explicaremos |
| vosotros / vosotras | explicaréis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | explicarán |
Conjugation guide
Subjunctive forms
Subjunctive forms
Present subjunctive
Use these forms when a current wish, reaction, doubt or another trigger requires the subjunctive.
| Subject | Explicar |
|---|---|
| yo | explique |
| tú | expliques |
| él / ella / usted | explique |
| nosotros / nosotras | expliquemos |
| vosotros / vosotras | expliquéis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | expliquen |
Conjugation guide
Commands
Commands
Affirmative commands
Choose the affirmative command of explicar that matches the person being addressed.
| Subject | Explicar |
|---|---|
| tú | explica |
| usted | explique |
| nosotros / nosotras | expliquemos |
| vosotros / vosotras | explicad |
| ustedes | expliquen |
Commands
Negative commands
Use no with the matching command form of explicar.
| Subject | Explicar |
|---|---|
| tú | no expliques |
| usted | no explique |
| nosotros / nosotras | no expliquemos |
| vosotros / vosotras | no expliquéis |
| ustedes | no expliquen |
Verified context
Examples with explicar
Él me explicó la regla.
He explained the rule to me.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FRSe lo explicaré a ella.
I will explain it to her.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FRÉl me explicó el asunto.
He explained the matter to me.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FR
Quick answers
Explicar FAQ
What does explicar mean?
Explicar means to explain.
Is explicar regular or irregular?
Explicar is a irregular -AR verb.
What is the gerund of explicar?
The gerund of explicar is explicando.
What is the past participle of explicar?
The past participle of explicar is explicado.
How is explicar conjugated in the present?
The verified public subject set is explico, explicas, explica, explicamos, explican.
How is explicar conjugated in the preterite?
The verified public subject set is expliqué, explicaste, explicó, explicamos, explicaron.
Created by Alejandro Ruiz, an experienced Spanish tutor.