Meaning and behavior
What does picar mean?
Picar means to itch. VerbyGo classifies it as an irregular -AR verb. It is non-reflexive.
to sting; to chop.
Build from reliable parts
Principal forms
- Infinitive
- picar
- Gerund
- picando
- Past participle
- picado
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 picar for current situations, routines and actions that happen regularly.
| Subject | Picar |
|---|---|
| yo | pico |
| tú | picas |
| él / ella / usted | pica |
| nosotros / nosotras | picamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | picáis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | pican |
Conjugation guide
Past forms
Past forms
Preterite
Use the preterite when the action of picar is presented as completed in the past.
| Subject | Picar |
|---|---|
| yo | piqué |
| tú | picaste |
| él / ella / usted | picó |
| nosotros / nosotras | picamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | picasteis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | picaron |
Past forms
Imperfect past
Use the imperfect for repeated or ongoing past uses of picar, or for background information.
| Subject | Picar |
|---|---|
| yo | picaba |
| tú | picabas |
| él / ella / usted | picaba |
| nosotros / nosotras | picábamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | picabais |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | picaban |
Conjugation guide
Future and conditional
Future and conditional
Simple future
Use the future forms of picar for predictions, promises and future statements.
| Subject | Picar |
|---|---|
| yo | picaré |
| tú | picarás |
| él / ella / usted | picará |
| nosotros / nosotras | picaremos |
| vosotros / vosotras | picaréis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | picarán |
Verified context
Examples with picar
¡Cómo me pica la nariz!
My nose is so itchy.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FRMe picaron muchos insectos en el bosque.
I was bitten by a lot of insects in the forest.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FR¡Auch! ¡Me picó una abeja!
Ouch!! I've been stung by a bee!!
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FR
Quick answers
Picar FAQ
What does picar mean?
Picar means to itch.
Is picar regular or irregular?
Picar is a irregular -AR verb.
What is the gerund of picar?
The gerund of picar is picando.
What is the past participle of picar?
The past participle of picar is picado.
How is picar conjugated in the present?
The verified public subject set is pico, picas, pica, picamos, pican.
How is picar conjugated in the preterite?
The verified public subject set is piqué, picaste, picó, picamos, picaron.
Created by Alejandro Ruiz, an experienced Spanish tutor.