mamar Present Conjugation
mamar — to suckle
The present tense of 'mamar' (mamo, mamas, mama, mamamos, mamáis, maman) describes habitual or ongoing suckling.
mamar Present Forms
When to Use the Present
Use the present tense of 'mamar' for actions happening now, habitual actions, or general truths. For example, 'El bebé mama cada dos horas' (The baby suckles every two hours) describes a routine.
Notes on mamar in the Present
'Mamar' is a regular -ar verb in the present tense.
Example Sentences
El bebé mama ahora mismo.
The baby is suckling right now.
él/ella/usted
Tú mamas muy fuerte.
You suckle very strongly.
tú
Nosotros mamamos leche de nuestra madre.
We suckle milk from our mother.
nosotros
Ellos maman cuando tienen hambre.
They suckle when they are hungry.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using 'mamar' (infinitive) instead of conjugated forms.
Correct: Always conjugate 'mamar' based on who is doing the suckling: 'yo mamo', 'tú mamas', 'él mama', etc.
Why: The infinitive form is the base verb and cannot be used directly as the main verb in a sentence.
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Related Tenses
Preterite
yo: mamé
The preterite of 'mamar' (mamé, mamaste, mamó, mamamos, mamasteis, mamaron) describes completed actions of suckling.
Imperfect
yo: mamaba
The imperfect of 'mamar' (mamaba, mamabas, mamaba, mamábamos, mamabais, mamaban) describes ongoing or habitual suckling in the past.
Future
yo: mamaré
The future tense of 'mamar' (mamaré, mamarás, mamará, etc.) indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: mamaría
The conditional of 'mamar' (mamaría, mamarías, mamaría, etc.) expresses hypothetical actions ('would suckle') or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: mame
The present subjunctive of 'mamar' (e.g., 'mame', 'mames', 'mamen') expresses wishes, doubts, or emotions.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: mamara
The imperfect subjunctive of 'mamar' (e.g., 'mamara', 'mamaras') is used for hypothetical past situations or wishes.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: mama
Use imperative forms like 'mama' (tú) and 'mamen' (ustedes) for direct commands with 'mamar'.
Negative Imperative
yo: no mames
Negative commands for 'mamar' use 'no' plus present subjunctive forms, like 'no mames' (tú) or 'no mamen' (ustedes).