compensar Present Conjugation
compensar — to compensate
The present tense of compensar (compenso, compensas, etc.) is for actions happening now, habitual actions, or general truths.
compensar Present Forms
When to Use the Present
Use the present tense of 'compensar' for things that happen regularly, like 'Siempre compenso mi falta de tiempo con ayuda'. It can also describe an action in progress or a general truth about making up for things.
Notes on compensar in the Present
Compensar is regular in the present indicative tense. All forms are predictable.
Example Sentences
Yo compenso mi falta de experiencia con mucho entusiasmo.
I compensate for my lack of experience with a lot of enthusiasm.
yo
¿Tú compensas el estrés con ejercicio?
Do you compensate for stress with exercise?
tú
Ella compensa su timidez con una gran sonrisa.
She compensates for her shyness with a big smile.
él/ella/usted
Nosotros compensamos el ruido con música.
We compensate for the noise with music.
nosotros
Ellos compensan el retraso con un servicio rápido.
They compensate for the delay with fast service.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the present progressive ('estoy compensando') for habitual actions.
Correct: Use the simple present for habits: 'Compensamos el ruido'.
Why: The present progressive is for actions happening *right now*, not for general routines.
Mistake: Confusing 'compensamos' (present) with 'compensamos' (preterite).
Correct: Context is key; 'Hoy compensamos...' (today we compensated - preterite) vs. 'Siempre compensamos...' (we always compensate - present).
Why: These forms are identical, and the meaning depends entirely on the surrounding words or situation.
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Related Tenses
Preterite
yo: compensé
The preterite of compensar is regular: compensé, compensaste, compensó, compensamos, compensasteis, compensaron.
Imperfect
yo: compensaba
The imperfect of compensar (compensaba, compensabas, etc.) describes ongoing or habitual past actions of compensating.
Future
yo: compensaré
The future tense of compensar (compensaré, compensarás, etc.) indicates actions that will happen or expresses probability.
Conditional
yo: compensaría
The conditional of compensar (compensaría, compensarías, etc.) expresses 'would' actions, polite requests, or future-in-the-past.
Present Subjunctive
yo: compense
The present subjunctive of compensar (compense, compenses, etc.) is used after expressions of doubt, emotion, wishes, or uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: compensara
The imperfect subjunctive of compensar (e.g., compensara, compensase) is used for hypothetical situations or past wishes/doubts.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: compensa
Commands in the imperative for compensar are: compensa (tú), compense (usted), compensemos (nosotros), compensad (vosotros), compensen (ustedes).
Negative Imperative
yo: no compenses
Negative commands for compensar use the present subjunctive: no compenses (tú), no compense (usted), no compensemos (nosotros), no compenséis (vosotros), no compensen (ustedes).