Explicar present conjugation
Explicar in the present: explico, explicas, explica, explicamos, explicáis, explican.
- to explain
- spelling change (c→qu)
- Participle: explicado
- Gerund: explicando
Present presente
| yo | explico |
|---|---|
| tú | explicas |
| él/ella/usted | explica |
| nosotros | explicamos |
| vosotros | explicáis |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | explican |
How to use explicar in the present
In the present, explicar is completely regular: explico, explicas, explica, explicamos, explican. The c stays because it is followed by o or a. Use it for explanations happening now (Te explico, I'll explain it to you) and for routines, like what a manager explains to every new hire. Te explico is also a very common way to start explaining something, much like "Let me explain" in English.
Examples
Primero te explico la idea general y después vemos los detalles.
First I'll explain the general idea and then we'll look at the details.
La doctora siempre explica los resultados con mucha paciencia.
The doctor always explains the results very patiently.
¿Cómo explicas esa diferencia en las cifras?
How do you explain that difference in the numbers?
Quick check: explicar in the present
More explicar tenses
- All explicar tenses
- Explicar preterite
- Explicar imperfect
- Explicar future
- Explicar conditional
- Explicar present subjunctive
- Explicar affirmative commands
Other verbs in the present
Know your verbs, now find your level
Take a free placement test and get your CEFR level, then follow the grammar lessons that fit it.