Accenting the 'u'

This verb follows the standard, predictable pattern for all verbs ending in -ar. If you know how to conjugate 'hablar' (to speak), you know how to conjugate 'arruinar'.

Regular -AR Verb

Most often, 'arruinar' needs a direct object (a thing or person that is being ruined): 'Arruiné *el pastel*' (I ruined *the cake*).

Transitive Use

Extremely common. Used for physical damage, destruction, or major negative impact.

When you use 'arruinarse' (with 'se'), it means something became ruined or spoiled by itself, without a specific person doing the action: 'La comida se arruinó' (The food spoiled).

The 'Se' Form (Reflexive)

Use this meaning when describing how an event or action negatively affected someone's feelings or a general atmosphere.

Emotional Impact

Commonly used in a figurative sense to mean spoiling an event, mood, or plan.

When talking about a person or company becoming bankrupt, always use the reflexive form 'arruinarse' (to ruin oneself, or to become ruined): 'Él se arruinó' (He went broke).

Reflexive for Financial State

This is a strong word, implying not just loss, but total failure or destruction of wealth.

Strong Consequence

Specific use related to finance, meaning to cause bankruptcy or severe financial loss.

Learn the Spanish verb 'arruinar' (to ruin, to spoil, to bankrupt). Includes full regular conjugations, examples for physical, emotional, and financial contexts, and tips on using the reflexive form 'arruinarse'.

arruinar

Complete Conjugation Tables

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

future

imperfect

conditional

preterite

imperative

negative

affirmative

subjunctive

present

imperfect

Practice Conjugations