Explicar conjugation Spanish verb

How explicar conjugates

Explicar is a regular -ar verb in sound, but the spelling changes from c to qu before an e so that the hard k sound stays the same. That affects only two places: the yo form of the preterite (expliqué) and the whole present subjunctive (explique, expliques, expliquemos...), which also gives you the usted, nosotros and ustedes commands. Learn expliqué and explique first; everything else follows the regular hablar pattern.

Explicar in example sentences

• Present

  Te explico el proceso en cinco minutos y luego empezamos.

  I'll explain the process to you in five minutes and then we'll start.

• Preterite

  Le expliqué al cliente por qué el envío llegó tarde.

  I explained to the client why the shipment arrived late.

• Imperfect

  Mi profesora siempre explicaba la gramática con ejemplos de la vida real.

  My teacher always explained grammar with real-life examples.

• Future

  En la reunión del lunes explicaremos los cambios del presupuesto.

  At Monday's meeting we'll explain the budget changes.

• Present perfect

  ¿Ya les has explicado a los nuevos cómo funciona el sistema?

  Have you already explained to the new hires how the system works?

• Present subjunctive

  Necesito que me expliques este correo, porque no entiendo qué quieren.

  I need you to explain this email to me, because I don't understand what they want.

• Conditional

  ¿Me explicarías otra vez cómo llegar a tu casa?

  Would you explain to me again how to get to your house?

• Affirmative commands

  Explique los riesgos al paciente antes de la cirugía, por favor.

  Please explain the risks to the patient before the surgery.

Common phrases with explicar

explicarle algo a alguien

to explain something to someone

no me lo explico

I can't understand it / I can't figure it out

explicarse

to make oneself clear; to understand (how something happened)

¿Me explico?

Do you see what I mean? / Am I making myself clear?

explicar por qué

to explain why

Mistakes to avoid

• Writing *explicé* correctly but then *explice* in the subjunctive. Every present subjunctive form needs qu: que yo explique, que ellos expliquen.
• Leaving out the indirect object pronoun: Spanish says Le expliqué el problema a mi jefe, not just Expliqué el problema a mi jefe, even when the person is named.
• Copying the English "explain me". Say Explícame or ¿Me lo explicas?, with the pronoun, not *explica a mí*.

Explicar tense by tense

• Explicar present
• Explicar preterite
• Explicar imperfect
• Explicar future
• Explicar conditional
• Explicar present subjunctive
• Explicar affirmative commands

Related verbs

• tocar to touch; to play (an instrument); to be someone's turn
• sacar to take out; to get; to take (a photo)
• buscar to look for; to search; to pick up

Most common Spanish verbs

• ser
• estar
• tener
• haber
• hacer
• ir
• poder
• decir
• dar
• ver
• saber
• querer

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