Meaning and behavior
What does proteger mean?
Proteger means to protect, to defend. VerbyGo classifies it as an irregular -ER verb. It is non-reflexive.
Build from reliable parts
Principal forms
- Infinitive
- proteger
- Gerund
- protegiendo
- Past participle
- protegido
Verified irregular pattern
How this verb behaves
Its forms differ from a fully regular -er pattern in the present.
Conjugation guide
Present forms
Present forms
Present
Use the present forms of proteger for current situations, routines and actions that happen regularly.
| Subject | Proteger |
|---|---|
| yo | protejo |
| tú | proteges |
| él / ella / usted | protege |
| nosotros / nosotras | protegemos |
| vosotros / vosotras | protegéis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | protegen |
Present forms
Present progressive
Use present estar with protegiendo for an action in progress now.
| Subject | Proteger |
|---|---|
| yo | estoy protegiendo |
| tú | estás protegiendo |
| él / ella / usted | está protegiendo |
| nosotros / nosotras | estamos protegiendo |
| vosotros / vosotras | estáis protegiendo |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | están protegiendo |
Present forms
Present perfect continuous
Use present haber, estado and protegiendo to emphasize an activity continuing into the present.
| Subject | Proteger |
|---|---|
| yo | he estado protegiendo |
| tú | has estado protegiendo |
| él / ella / usted | ha estado protegiendo |
| nosotros / nosotras | hemos estado protegiendo |
| vosotros / vosotras | habéis estado protegiendo |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | han estado protegiendo |
Conjugation guide
Past forms
Past forms
Preterite
Use the preterite when the action of proteger is presented as completed in the past.
| Subject | Proteger |
|---|---|
| yo | protegí |
| tú | protegiste |
| él / ella / usted | protegió |
| nosotros / nosotras | protegimos |
| vosotros / vosotras | protegisteis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | protegieron |
Past forms
Imperfect past
Use the imperfect for repeated or ongoing past uses of proteger, or for background information.
| Subject | Proteger |
|---|---|
| yo | protegía |
| tú | protegías |
| él / ella / usted | protegía |
| nosotros / nosotras | protegíamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | protegíais |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | protegían |
Conjugation guide
Future and conditional
Future and conditional
Simple future
Use the future forms of proteger for predictions, promises and future statements.
| Subject | Proteger |
|---|---|
| yo | protegeré |
| tú | protegerás |
| él / ella / usted | protegerá |
| nosotros / nosotras | protegeremos |
| vosotros / vosotras | protegeréis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | protegerán |
Conjugation guide
Subjunctive forms
Subjunctive forms
Present subjunctive
Use these forms when a current wish, reaction, doubt or another trigger requires the subjunctive.
| Subject | Proteger |
|---|---|
| yo | proteja |
| tú | protejas |
| él / ella / usted | proteja |
| nosotros / nosotras | protejamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | protejáis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | protejan |
Conjugation guide
Commands
Commands
Affirmative commands
Choose the affirmative command of proteger that matches the person being addressed.
| Subject | Proteger |
|---|---|
| tú | protege |
| usted | proteja |
| nosotros / nosotras | protejamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | proteged |
| ustedes | protejan |
Commands
Negative commands
Use no with the matching command form of proteger.
| Subject | Proteger |
|---|---|
| tú | no protejas |
| usted | no proteja |
| nosotros / nosotras | no protejamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | no protejáis |
| ustedes | no protejan |
Verified context
Examples with proteger
Mary protegía a su marido.
Mary protected her husband.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FRMary protegió a su marido.
Mary protected her husband.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FREl sombrero protege del sol.
The hat protects from the sun.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FR
Quick answers
Proteger FAQ
What does proteger mean?
Proteger means to protect, to defend.
Is proteger regular or irregular?
Proteger is a irregular -ER verb.
What is the gerund of proteger?
The gerund of proteger is protegiendo.
What is the past participle of proteger?
The past participle of proteger is protegido.
How is proteger conjugated in the present?
The verified public subject set is protejo, proteges, protege, protegemos, protegen.
How is proteger conjugated in the preterite?
The verified public subject set is protegí, protegiste, protegió, protegimos, protegieron.
Created by Alejandro Ruiz, an experienced Spanish tutor.