Confusing 'Alimentar' and 'Comer'

When 'alimentar' is followed by a specific person or pet, you must use the word 'a' before them (e.g., alimentar *a* mi hijo). This is the 'personal a'.

Using 'A' with People

Think of 'alimentar' as the verb form of 'alimento' (food). It means 'to make food happen' for someone else.

Direct Translation Tip

Extremely common. Used daily to talk about giving food to someone or something.

This meaning works just like in English: you can 'feed' or 'fuel' abstract things like arguments, feelings, or machines, not just living things.

Figurative Use

If the object being 'alimentado' is not a person or animal (like 'el fuego' or 'la duda'), you should use the 'fuel' or 'sustain' meaning.

Context Clues

Commonly used in formal or abstract contexts to mean sustaining a process or feeling.

Forgetting the Pronoun

When you use 'alimentarse,' the action of feeding comes back to the person doing the action. You must include the little word ('me,' 'te,' 'se,' 'nos') before the verb to show this.

The Action Bounces Back

If you want to say WHAT someone eats, use the preposition 'de' (of/from) instead of 'con' (with): 'Se alimenta *de* carne' (He feeds on meat).

Using 'De' for Source

Use 'alimentarse' when discussing diet or nutritional habits ('¿Cómo te alimentas?' - How do you eat/what's your diet like?). Use 'comer' for the specific act of eating a meal.

Diet Talk

Very common, used to discuss diet and how one eats.

Learn the Spanish verb 'alimentar' (to feed, to nourish, to fuel). Includes complete conjugations, figurative meanings, and tips on using the reflexive form 'alimentarse' (to feed oneself).

Alimentar Meaning, Conjugation, and Usage | InkLingo

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The conditional of alimentar adds -ía endings to the infinitive: alimentaría, alimentarías, alimentaría...

The future of alimentar is formed by adding endings to the infinitive: alimentaré, alimentarás, alimentará...

The imperative of alimentar gives direct orders: alimenta (tú), alimentad (vosotros), alimente (usted).

The imperfect of alimentar follows the regular -aba pattern: alimentaba, alimentabas, alimentaba...

The imperfect subjunctive of alimentar uses -ara endings: alimentara, alimentaras, alimentara, alimentáramos...

The negative imperative of alimentar uses 'no' + present subjunctive forms: no alimentes, no alimente, etc.

Alimentar is regular in the present: alimento, alimentas, alimenta, alimentamos, alimentáis, alimentan.

The present subjunctive of alimentar uses -e endings: alimente, alimentes, alimente, alimentemos, alimentéis, alimenten.

Alimentar is regular in the preterite: alimenté, alimentaste, alimentó, alimentamos, alimentasteis, alimentaron.

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indicative

present

future

imperfect

conditional

preterite

imperative

negative

affirmative

subjunctive

present

imperfect

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