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

explicar Present Forms

yoexplico
túexplicas
él/ella/ustedexplica
nosotrosexplicamos
vosotrosexplicáis
ellos/ellas/ustedesexplican

When to Use the Present

Use this for habitual explanations or things you are explaining right now, like 'I always explain things twice.'

Notes on explicar in the Present

Explicar is a perfectly regular -ar verb in the present indicative.

Example Sentences

  • Yo siempre explico las cosas con calma.

    I always explain things calmly.

    yo

  • Mi padre explica muy bien las noticias.

    My father explains the news very well.

    él/ella/usted

  • Nosotros explicamos el juego a los niños.

    We explain the game to the children.

    nosotros

Common Mistakes

  • Mistake: Confusing 'explica' (he/she explains) with 'explicas' (you explain).

    Correct: explicas (tú), explica (él/ella)

    Why: Don't forget the 's' for the informal 'you' form.

Master Spanish verbs in context

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Related Tenses

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.

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.