Forgetting the 'qu'

'Ataca' can mean three things: 1) He/She/It attacks (El perro ataca); 2) You (formal) attack (Usted ataca); 3) Attack! (the informal command to a friend: ¡Ataca!)

Three Roles of 'Ataca'

Even though 'atacar' is regular, Spanish adds a 'u' to the verb stem before an 'e' sound to keep the 'k' sound. This is why the 'yo' preterite is 'ataqué' and the subjunctive form is 'ataque'.

The -CAR Spelling Rule

You will often hear 'atacar' used figuratively, meaning to heavily criticize or go after someone verbally, just like in English.

Figurative Use

A common verb form used to describe physical assaults, verbal criticism, or the onset of illnesses.

'Ataca' is a key Spanish verb form meaning 'he/she attacks' or the informal command 'Attack!' Learn its uses in present tense, commands, figurative criticism, and its full conjugation.

ataca

Complete Conjugation Tables

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

future

imperfect

conditional

preterite

imperative

negative

affirmative

subjunctive

present

imperfect

Practice Conjugations