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

explicar Affirmative Imperative Forms

túexplica
ustedexplique
nosotrosexpliquemos
vosotrosexplicad
ustedesexpliquen

When to Use the Affirmative Imperative

Use this to give direct orders or requests: 'Explain yourself!' or 'Explain the rules, please.'

Notes on explicar in the Affirmative Imperative

The formal commands (usted/ustedes) and 'nosotros' use the 'qu' spelling change found in the subjunctive.

Example Sentences

  • ¡Explica qué pasó!

    Explain what happened!

    tú

  • Explique su teoría, por favor.

    Explain your theory, please.

  • Expliquemos el plan al equipo.

    Let's explain the plan to the team.

    nosotros

Common Mistakes

  • Mistake: Using 'explica' for a formal 'usted' command.

    Correct: explique

    Why: Formal commands use the subjunctive form, which requires the 'qu' spelling change.

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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.

Conditional

yo: explicaría

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

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.

Negative Imperative

yo: no expliques

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