Inklingo
A storybook illustration of an adult pointing at a simple drawing of a sun on a whiteboard, clearly explaining a concept to a child who is listening attentively and nodding.

explicar Conditional Conjugation

explicar — to explain

A1regular (-ar ending) with a minor spelling change (c to qu) to maintain the hard 'k' sound in some forms. -ar★★★★★
Quick answer:

The conditional of explicar is regular: explicaría, explicarías, explicaría, explicaríamos, explicaríais, explicarían.

explicar Conditional Forms

yoexplicaría
túexplicarías
él/ella/ustedexplicaría
nosotrosexplicaríamos
vosotrosexplicaríais
ellos/ellas/ustedesexplicarían

When to Use the Conditional

Use this to say what you 'would explain' under certain conditions or to make a polite request: 'Would you explain that again?'

Notes on explicar in the Conditional

Explicar is regular in the conditional; add the -ía endings to the full infinitive.

Example Sentences

  • ¿Podría explicarme esto otra vez, por favor?

    Could you explain this to me again, please?

    él/ella/usted

  • Yo te lo explicaría, pero no tengo tiempo.

    I would explain it to you, but I don't have time.

    yo

  • Ellos explicarían el problema si supieran la verdad.

    They would explain the problem if they knew the truth.

    ellos/ellas/ustedes

Common Mistakes

  • Mistake: Confusing the conditional 'explicaría' with the imperfect 'explicaba'.

    Correct: explicaría (would explain) vs. explicaba (used to explain)

    Why: The conditional implies a hypothetical 'would', while the imperfect describes a past habit.

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Related Tenses

Present

yo: explico

The present tense of explicar is regular: explico, explicas, explica, explicamos, explicáis, explican.

Preterite

yo: expliqué

The preterite of explicar has a spelling change only in the 'yo' form: expliqué.

Imperfect

yo: explicaba

The imperfect of explicar is regular: explicaba, explicabas, explicaba, explicábamos, explicabais, explicaban.

Future

yo: explicaré

The future tense of explicar is fully regular: explicaré, explicarás, explicará, explicaremos, explicaréis, explicarán.

Present Subjunctive

yo: explique

The present subjunctive of explicar features a 'c' to 'qu' spelling change: explique, expliques, explique, expliquemos, expliquéis, expliquen.

Imperfect Subjunctive

yo: explicara

The imperfect subjunctive of explicar is regular: explicara, explicaras, explicara, explicáramos, explicarais, explicaran.

Affirmative Imperative

yo: explica

The affirmative imperative of explicar uses 'explica' (tú) and 'explique' (usted).

Negative Imperative

yo: no expliques

The negative imperative of explicar always uses the 'qu' spelling change: no expliques, no explique, no expliquen.