retrasar Present Conjugation
retrasar — to delay
The present tense of retrasar (retraso, retrasas, etc.) is for actions happening now or habitual delays.
retrasar Present Forms
When to Use the Present
Use the present tense of 'retrasar' for actions of delaying that are happening right now, or for habits and routines where delays are common. It can also express general truths about delays.
Notes on retrasar in the Present
Retrasar is regular in the present indicative tense. All conjugations follow the standard pattern for -ar verbs.
Example Sentences
Yo retraso mi respuesta para pensarlo mejor.
I delay my answer to think about it better.
yo
¿Por qué siempre retrasas tus tareas?
Why do you always delay your tasks?
tú
El tren se retrasa por la nieve.
The train is being delayed due to the snow.
él/ella/usted
Ellos retrasan el pago cada mes.
They delay the payment every month.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the present tense for a specific completed past delay.
Correct: For a delay that already happened and finished, use the preterite: 'Ayer retrasé la reunión' (yesterday I delayed the meeting).
Why: The present tense is for ongoing or habitual actions, not completed past events.
Mistake: Confusing 'yo retraso' with 'tú retrasas'.
Correct: The first person singular is 'yo retraso', and the second person singular is 'tú retrasas'.
Why: Standard conjugation differences between pronouns.
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Related Tenses
Preterite
yo: retrasé
The preterite of retrasar is regular: retrasé, retrasaste, retrasó, retrasamos, retrasasteis, retrasaron, for completed past actions.
Imperfect
yo: retrasaba
The imperfect of retrasar (retrasaba, retrasabas, etc.) describes ongoing or habitual delays in the past.
Future
yo: retrasaré
The future tense of retrasar (retrasaré, retrasarás, etc.) indicates actions that will happen or expresses probability.
Conditional
yo: retrasaría
The conditional of retrasar (retrasaría, retrasarías, etc.) expresses 'would' delays, polite requests, or future-in-the-past.
Present Subjunctive
yo: retrase
The present subjunctive of retrasar (retrace, retrases, etc.) follows expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: retrasara
The imperfect subjunctive of retrasar (retrasara, retrasaras, etc.) is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, or politeness.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: retrasa
Use the imperative of retrasar for direct commands: retrasa (tú), retrase (usted), retrasemos (nosotros), retrasad (vosotros), retrasen (ustedes).
Negative Imperative
yo: no retrases
Negative commands for retrasar use 'no' plus the present subjunctive: no retrases (tú), no retrase (usted), no retrasemos (nosotros), no retraséis (vosotros), no retrasen (ustedes).