originar Present Conjugation
originar — to cause
The present tense of originar (origino, originas, origina...) describes actions happening now or habitual causes.
originar Present Forms
When to Use the Present
Use the present tense of 'originar' to talk about things that habitually cause something, or when something is causing an effect right now. It can also express general truths. For example, 'El estrés origina problemas de salud' (Stress causes health problems) is a general truth.
Notes on originar in the Present
Originar is regular in the present indicative tense. All forms are regular.
Example Sentences
Esta política origina mucha controversia.
This policy causes a lot of controversy.
él/ella/usted
Yo origino el sonido con mi voz.
I create the sound with my voice.
yo
¿Tú originas estos problemas a propósito?
Do you cause these problems on purpose?
tú
Nosotros originamos la idea del proyecto.
We came up with the project idea.
nosotros
Ellos originan la mayor parte de la contaminación.
They cause most of the pollution.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the present tense for a specific completed past action.
Correct: Use the preterite 'originó' for a past cause, not 'origina'.
Why: The present tense refers to current or habitual actions, not single completed events in the past.
Mistake: Confusing 'originamos' (present nosotros) with 'originamos' (preterite nosotros).
Correct: Context will usually clarify whether 'originamos' refers to a present habitual action or a completed past action.
Why: The nosotros form is identical in the present indicative and the preterite indicative, requiring context to differentiate.
Master Spanish verbs in context
Memorizing tables only gets you so far. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see verbs like 'originar' used naturally — in the tenses you're learning.
Related Tenses
Preterite
yo: originé
The preterite of originar is regular: originé, originaste, originó, originamos, originasteis, originaron.
Imperfect
yo: originaba
The imperfect of originar (originaba, originabas...) describes ongoing or habitual past causes.
Future
yo: originaré
The future tense of originar (originaré, originarás...) predicts future causes or actions.
Conditional
yo: originaría
The conditional of originar (originaría, originarías...) expresses hypotheticals ('would cause') or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: origine
Use the present subjunctive of originar (origine, origines, etc.) after expressions of doubt, desire, or emotion.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: originara
The imperfect subjunctive of originar (originara/originase) is used for past hypotheticals or polite requests.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: origina
Use the imperative of originar for direct commands like 'origina tú' or 'originen ustedes'.
Negative Imperative
yo: no origines
Use the present subjunctive after 'no' for negative commands with originar: 'no origines'.